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

Rating 478 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks e1/g7; bishop c3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h3. Black: king b8; rooks f2/f8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/c7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook e1→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/ppp3R1/3b4/8/8/2B4P/PP3rP1/4R2K w - - 7 39

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