Chess Puzzle #1U7aS — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1108 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks a1/e2; bishop c1; knight a3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rooks d8/h8; bishop c5; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight a3→c4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e2→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/pp2k1pp/2p1pn2/2b1p3/4P3/N4P2/PPP1R1PP/R1B4K w - - 2 17

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