Chess Puzzle #083nr — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 555 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishops f3/f6; knight f4; pawns a2/b3/c2/d3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d8/e8; bishops b7/e7; pawns a7/b6/c5/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop e7→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/pbq1bppp/1p3B2/2pp4/5N2/1P1P1BP1/P1P1QP1P/R3R1K1 b - - 0 16

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