Chess Puzzle #0Kw3Q — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 773 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks d4/e4; pawns g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen g3; rook e8; pawns a6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e4→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5ppp/p7/8/3RR2P/6q1/6P1/7K b - - 4 31

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