Chess Puzzle #06fRS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 426 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rook d1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rook e8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook e8→e6, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e6→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/ppp3pp/4Q3/5p2/8/2P5/PP3PPP/3R2K1 b - - 0 22

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