Chess Puzzle #1k3LR — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 834 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rooks e7/f1; pawns a5/c2/d3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen f7; rooks f5/f8; bishop b8; pawns b7/c3/d4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook e7→f7, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f5→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook f7→f1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1b3r1k/1p2Rqp1/7p/P4r2/3pP1Q1/2pP3P/2P3P1/5R1K w - - 0 35

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