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

Rating 1106 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knights f3/g3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e1; rooks a8/e8; bishops a6/c5; pawns a7/b6/c3/c7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nxe1 — knight f3→e1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Nf1 (knight g3→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r2k/p1p3p1/bpQ4p/2b5/8/2p2NN1/PP3PPP/R1B1q1KR w - - 3 18

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