Chess Puzzle #20jdb — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 635 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; rooks d2/h1; bishops f3/g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/d5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; bishops d7/g7; pawns a7/b7/c5/d6/e5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Be4 — bishop f3→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f8→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook f1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp1b2bp/3p2p1/2pPp3/8/3P1B1P/PPPR2P1/1K4BR w - - 1 19

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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