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

Rating 459 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f1; rooks d1/e5; bishop g5; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e8; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→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: rn2r1k1/ppp2ppp/8/4R1B1/8/2N5/PPP2PPP/3R1K2 b - - 0 14

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