Chess Puzzle #G3lax — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1430 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b1; rook e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g2/g3. Black: king c8; rooks e6/f8; pawns a6/b7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook e2→e6, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f8→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e6→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook f1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/1p4p1/p3r2p/8/3P4/6P1/PPP1R1P1/1K6 w - - 0 30

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