Chess Puzzle #29AQi — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 926 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king b1; rook d7; knights f4/f6; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king a6; rook c6; knight c4; pawns a7/b6/g6/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: N6d5 — knight f6→d5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nd2+ — knight c4→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
  3. Best move: Rc1# — rook c6→c1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p2R4/kpr2Npp/8/2n2N2/8/PP4PP/1K6 w - - 4 36

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