Chess Puzzle #0B5A9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 954 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f1; rook f4; bishop g2; pawns a2/b3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rook e2; knight d1; pawns a7/b5/d3/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook e2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bd5+ — bishop g2→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Rf8# — rook f4→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p5pp/8/1p6/5R2/1P1p2P1/P3r1BP/3n1K2 b - - 4 33

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