Chess Puzzle #07XNT — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 531 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f4; rook d2; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rook e3; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re6 — rook e3→e6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→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, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/pp4pp/2p5/5b2/5K2/4r3/PPPR2PP/8 b - - 6 27

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