Chess Puzzle #1pU61 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 532 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c8; bishop f4; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h7; rook a7; bishop f6; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook c8→c7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a7→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c7→c1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook a1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/r4ppk/4pb1p/8/3P1B2/4P3/5PPP/6K1 w - - 2 30

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