Chess Puzzle #1XbkN — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 500 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook a8; pawns b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; rooks c7/h8; pawns g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxh8 — rook a8→h8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c7→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e5→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: R6r/2rk2pp/8/4Q3/8/8/1P3PPP/6K1 w - - 7 31

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