Chess Puzzle #0A0PH — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 618 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c1; knight a6; pawns a2/b2/f2/h2. Black: king h8; rook e8; bishop g2; knight f4; pawns b5/g6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook e8→e2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→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: 4r2k/6pp/N5p1/1p6/5n2/8/PP3PbP/2R3K1 b - - 0 30

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