Chess Puzzle #1N8B5 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 940 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks b2/f1; pawns a5/c2/d3/g2/h2. Black: king c6; rooks e2/f2; pawns a7/c5/c7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1p3pp/2k5/P1p5/8/3P4/1RP1rrPP/5R1K w - - 0 27

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