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

Rating 785 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rook b1; bishop e1; knights f5/g2; pawns a2/h2. Black: king h7; rook e8; bishops b2/b7; pawns a7/b6/c5/g4/h6. White is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook b1→b2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen d3→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pb5k/1p5p/2p2N2/6p1/3Q4/Pb4NP/1R2B2K w - - 0 33

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