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

Rating 962 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c6; bishop g5; knight c5; pawns a2/b2/d7/e6/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook f8; knight d4; pawns a4/b5/g6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Rf1# — rook f8→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3P4/2R1P1p1/1pN3B1/p2n4/8/PP4PP/6K1 w - - 1 34

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