Chess Puzzle #0bfq8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/d1; knights b1/e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight e4; pawns a7/b7/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook f8→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f4→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r1k/pp4pp/8/4p3/4nP2/2P1N3/PP4PP/RN1R2K1 b - - 0 19

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