Chess Puzzle #26UBD — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1346 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen g1; rook f2; knight g4; pawns a2/b3/h2. Black: king h8; queen c6; rook d8; pawns a6/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qg2 — queen g1→g2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook d1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/5ppp/p1q5/4p3/6N1/1P6/P4R1P/6QK w - - 8 46

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