Chess Puzzle #1w2W1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 646 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen a2; bishop a3; knight f3; pawns a4/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h7; rooks c7/d8; knight d6; pawns a7/b6/d3/f6/g6/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd6 — bishop a3→d6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c7→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p1r3pk/1p1n1pp1/8/P2P4/B2pPN2/Q4PPP/6K1 w - - 0 35

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