Chess Puzzle #0BjF7 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 993 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d7; bishop b3; knight e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; rooks a8/d8; bishops c5/e4; pawns b6/b7/c7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe3 — bishop c5→e3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d7→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/1ppR1ppp/1p2p3/2b1P3/4b1P1/1BP1N2P/PP3P2/3R2K1 b - - 13 22

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