Chess Puzzle #1LhaY — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 771 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a3/c2; knights b5/d5; pawns a4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rooks a8/c8; knight d3; pawns b7/e4/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook c2→d2, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/1p4pp/8/1N1N1p2/P2Pp3/R2n4/2Rq1PPP/6K1 w - - 0 24

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.