Chess Puzzle #2CIXV — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 553 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks a6/g3; bishops b3/c5; pawns a2/d5/g2/h4. Black: king h7; rooks d7/e2; bishops f4/f5; pawns e3/f6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf3 — rook g3→f3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f3→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pillsburys mate, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/3r3k/R4p2/2BP1b2/5b1P/1B2p1R1/P3r1P1/7K w - - 1 40

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