Chess Puzzle #0Rv7W — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 876 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e5; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/b4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen c4; rooks g6/g8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook g8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k4r1/pp3p2/2p3r1/4Q2p/1Pq5/7P/P4PP1/3RR2K b - - 0 28

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