Chess Puzzle #1s6U2 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 509 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks a2/b1; pawns b3/d3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c3/c8; pawns d5/e6/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook b1→c1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/7p/4p1p1/3p1p2/5P2/1PrP4/R5PP/1R5K w - - 0 35

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