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

Rating 458 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook f3; pawns b4/e4/g2/h3. Black: king g7; rooks d4/f8; bishops a2/e5; pawns a6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen c2→a2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f3→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook d1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r2/5pk1/p5pp/4b3/1P1rP3/5R1P/b1Q3P1/7K w - - 0 36

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