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

Rating 659 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook d1; pawns a4/e3/f2/g3/g4. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks c8/d2; pawns a5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook d1→d2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5p1p/6p1/p7/P4QP1/4P1Pq/3r1P2/3R2K1 w - - 0 42

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