Chess Puzzle #25oVU — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 515 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king b1; rook d4; bishop f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/f5/h2. Black: king c8; rook g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f4/f6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook d4→f4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rg1+ — rook g8→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Bd1 (bishop f3→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook g1→d1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/ppp4p/5p2/5P2/3R1p2/5B2/PPP2P1P/1K6 w - - 2 23

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