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

Rating 454 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rook d8; bishops b8/f7; pawns a6/b4/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb4 — queen g4→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen b4→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1b1r2k1/5b2/p5p1/8/1p4Q1/1P5P/PB3PP1/6K1 w - - 0 35

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