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

Rating 406 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight c3; pawns a4/b2/c2/d2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen f6; rook e5; bishop g4; pawns b4/c5/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f6→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4k3/7p/5q2/2p1r3/Pp4b1/2N5/1PPP2PP/R1B2R1K w - - 0 26

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