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

Rating 429 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f1; rook d6; knight c4; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2. Black: king h7; rook c7; knight f4; pawns a7/b6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight c4→e5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c7→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d6→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1r4k/1p1R2p1/7p/2N2n2/1P6/P4PP1/5K2 w - - 0 35

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