Chess Puzzle #Kty0S — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook f1; pawns a2/b3/c4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook e8; bishop b8; pawns a7/b6/c6/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf5 — rook f1→f5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f5→f1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1b2r1k1/p7/1pp3pp/5q2/2P5/1P5P/P1Q3P1/5R1K w - - 3 38

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.