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

Rating 661 · Beginner · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/e2; knight b1; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b2; rooks d8/h8; bishop c5; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen c2→b2, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e2→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3rk2r/p4ppp/2p1p3/2b5/8/2P5/PqQ1RPPP/RN4K1 w k - 0 18

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