Chess Puzzle #68zIT — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1424 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/e1; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; rooks d8/e8; knight c6; pawns a5/b7/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook e1→e8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e8→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3rr3/1p3pk1/2n3p1/p5N1/8/8/PP3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 5 25

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