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

Rating 425 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame.

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rooks d1/d5; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b7; rooks d8/f6; pawns a7/c4/e4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe6 — rook f6→e6, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d5→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e6→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/pq4pp/4Qr2/3R4/2p1p3/8/P1P2PPP/3R2K1 b - - 0 30

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