Chess Puzzle #1n2zk — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 399 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; rook f1; bishops e4/g3; knight f3; pawns a4/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks f7/f8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b6/g4/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd2 — knight f3→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f7→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxf1 (knight d2→f1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/p4rb1/1p5p/8/P3B1p1/2P2NB1/1P4PP/5R1K w - - 0 33

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