Chess Puzzle #1MO5Q — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 718 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c3; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook d8; bishop h3; pawns b7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: f3 — pawn f2→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
  3. Best move: Rf1# — rook d1→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1p3pp1/7p/8/8/2R1B1Pb/PP2PP1P/6K1 w - - 1 23

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