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

Rating 449 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c1; bishop b2; knights e2/f3; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook d8; bishops b7/c5; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures bishop. 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

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1b3ppp/p3pn2/1pb5/8/1P2PN2/PB2NPPP/2R3K1 w - - 0 18

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