Chess Puzzle #1XsL5 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 549 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g7; rook f1; pawns a2/c3/c5/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen b1; rooks d3/d8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/c7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb1 — rook f1→b1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook b1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→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: 2kr4/ppp2pQp/2p1b3/2P1P3/8/2Pr4/P4PPP/1q3RK1 w - - 0 19

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