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

Rating 537 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c4/d1; knight c6; pawns a4/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king a8; rooks b2/c8; pawns a6/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d1→d7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b2→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d7→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook b1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: k1r5/6pp/p1N2p2/8/P1R5/8/1rP2PPP/3R2K1 w - - 4 26

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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