Chess Puzzle #2UoS1 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1423 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rooks f1/f5; pawns a2/b4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d3; rooks e6/f8; pawns a7/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f5→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen d3→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook f7→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pQ3pp1/4r2p/5R2/1P6/3q4/P5PP/5R1K w - - 1 26

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