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

Rating 475 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks b6/e1; pawns c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d8/f8; knight e2; pawns a5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e2→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/5ppp/1R6/p7/2P5/8/4nPPP/4R1K1 w - - 0 30

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