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

Rating 891 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks b7/c1; pawns b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rook a2; knight c2; pawns b5/c5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c2→c1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook a1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/1R3ppp/8/1pp5/8/2P5/rPn2PPP/2R3K1 w - - 0 24

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