Chess Puzzle #0b1pZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 978 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook d1; bishops e5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; rook h8; bishop f8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: fxe5 — pawn f6→e5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bg4+ — bishop f3→g4, 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/5p2/4B3/8/5B1P/PPP2PP1/3R2K1 b - - 0 15

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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