Chess Puzzle #4b4xB — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1087 · Beginner · back rank mate, fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rook c7; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; rooks e6/e8; knights c6/d6; pawns a7/b7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh7 — rook c7→h7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e6→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe1 (queen d1→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3kr3/ppR5/2nnr2p/6p1/8/2N5/PPP3PP/3Q3K w - - 0 25

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