Chess Puzzle #02Lqe — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 582 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a6/d6; pawns b3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d8/e5; pawns a5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d8→d6, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d6→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook a8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
  4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5ppp/R2R4/p3r3/8/1P4P1/5P1P/6K1 b - - 0 24

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