Chess Puzzle #21DKG — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 424 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook d2; knight c5; pawns a4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook b8; bishop c4; pawns a6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd7 — knight c5→d7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook b1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5ppp/p7/2N5/P1b5/8/3R1PPP/6K1 w - - 0 26

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