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

Rating 423 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook e7; bishop c3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h7; rook d3; pawns a6/b5/d5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook e7→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Be1 (bishop c3→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/4Rppk/p6p/1p1p4/8/2Br4/PP3PPP/6K1 w - - 0 30

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