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

Rating 448 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a4/b3; knight f3; pawns a5/b2/c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c7; rooks d8/h8; pawns a6/b7/c5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxe6 — pawn d5→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/1pk2ppp/p3p3/P1pP4/R1P5/1R3N2/1P3PPP/6K1 w - - 0 23

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