Chess Puzzle #2R1hN — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 457 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen h5; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/b4/c3/d5/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f1; rooks f6/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook e1→f1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f6→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→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: 5r1k/ppp3p1/2n2r1p/3P3Q/1P6/2P5/P5PP/3RRq1K w - - 3 25

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