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

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/c7; knight a8; pawns a2/b2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook d3; bishop f8; pawns b7/e2/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: R7c3 — rook c7→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: exd1=Q# — pawn e2→d1, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with exd1=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: N4bk1/1pR2ppp/4p3/4P3/8/3r4/PP2pPPP/2R3K1 w - - 0 24

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.