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

Rating 545 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f1; rooks c1/c7; bishop e2; knight b3; pawns a2/d4/e5/f2/g4/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b4/b8; bishop h7; knight g6; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf4 — knight g6→f4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1R2ppb/4p1np/3pP3/1r1P2P1/1N6/P3BP1P/2R2K2 b - - 3 27

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