Chess Puzzle #247s5 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 693 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c6; rooks a1/e1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f2; rooks e8/f8; bishop f1; pawns a7/e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook e1→f1, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f2→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rr1k/p5pp/2Q5/3P4/4p3/2P5/PP3qPP/R3Rb1K w - - 1 25

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