Chess Puzzle #7f23Q — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1491 · Intermediate · kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rooks b1/b5; bishop e3; pawns a2/c2/c3/c5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks d5/d8; bishop f6; pawns a7/b6/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: cxb6 — pawn c5→b6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d5→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook b1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p3pp1p/1pq2bp1/1RPr4/1Q6/2P1B1P1/P1P2P1P/1R4K1 w - - 3 22

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