Chess Puzzle #0XsoX — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1208 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/e5; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/f3/h2. Black: king c8; rook h8; bishop f8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: fxe5 — pawn f6→e5, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bf5+ — bishop d3→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2b1r/ppp3pp/5p2/4R3/8/2PB1P2/PP3P1P/2KR4 b - - 0 19

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