Chess Puzzle #1i26i — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 639 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c3; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rook d8; bishop c7; pawns a5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/2b3pp/8/p7/8/P1R2N2/1P3PPP/6K1 w - - 1 26

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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