Chess Puzzle #4u9xV — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1016 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rooks d1/f1; knight d3; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen b6; rooks f5/f8; knight h3; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5/g4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f5→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3k1r2/pp6/1q1pQ3/3Ppr2/2P3p1/1P1N3n/P5PP/3R1RK1 w - - 1 30

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