Chess Puzzle #2QFr6 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1321 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h3; rooks f5/g5; pawns a2/b2/g4. Black: king b7; rooks c2/e8; pawns a5/b5/c5/c7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook f5→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re3+ — rook e8→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h3→h4).
  3. Best move: Rh2# — rook c2→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/1kp5/8/ppp2RR1/6P1/7K/PPr5/8 w - - 0 45

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