Chess Puzzle #213xe — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 738 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook e1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d1; rooks d8/e5; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook e1→d1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd1 (knight c3→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Re1# — rook e5→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/ppp3pp/5pn1/4r3/8/2N3Q1/PPP2PPP/3qR1K1 w - - 0 18

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