Chess Puzzle #2R7Px — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 462 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rook a7; bishop a3; knight f3; pawns b3/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d8/f8; knight e7; pawns b5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe7 — bishop a3→e7, captures knight. 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: 3r1rk1/R3nppp/2Q5/1p6/8/BPP2N2/5PPP/6K1 w - - 1 22

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