Chess Puzzle #3zGfA — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1405 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook e8; bishop h2; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f7; rook d3; pawns a7/b6/c7/f4/g5/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re5 — rook e8→e5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e5→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/p1p2k1p/1p6/6p1/5p2/2Pr3P/P4PPB/6K1 w - - 1 24

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