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

Rating 617 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king b1; rooks c1/c7; bishop d3; knight b2; pawns a2/b3/e4/f5/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; bishops d4/d7; pawns a6/b5/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxb2 — bishop d4→b2, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop d7→c8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen b6→d8).
  4. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2Rb1ppp/pq1p4/1p2pPP1/3bP2P/1P1B4/PN6/1KR5 b - - 9 29

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