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

Rating 1227 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h8; rooks e1/e2; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/g2. Black: king b8; queen g3; rook d8; bishop g6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxh8 — rook d8→h8, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook h8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3Q/ppp2p2/6b1/3P4/2P3p1/1P4q1/P3R1P1/4R1K1 b - - 0 32

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