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

Rating 1158 · Beginner · back rank mate, fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook a1; bishop c1; knights b1/g4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; rook f8; knights c6/f4; pawns a7/b7/d6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d2→d4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight f4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Rf1# — rook f8→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/pp4kp/2np2p1/8/5nN1/2P5/PP1P2PP/RNB3K1 w - - 3 18

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