Chess Puzzle #1Lkc4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 967 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king e1; rook b7; bishop a7; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook e8; knight e4; pawns f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf1 — king e1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nd2+ — knight e4→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
  3. Best move: Re1# — rook e8→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/BR3ppp/8/8/4n3/8/PPP2PPP/4K3 w - - 1 24

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