Chess Puzzle #9MnLj — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1479 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion.

Position

White: king h1; rooks d1/f4; bishop f6; pawns a3/b2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook e8; bishops c2/c5; pawns a4/b6/d2/d7/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh4 — rook f4→h4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: dxe1=Q# — pawn d2→e1, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with dxe1=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/3p1p2/1p3Bp1/2b5/p1P2R2/P7/1Pbp2PP/3R3K w - - 4 29

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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