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

Rating 634 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g2; queen d7; rook d1; knight h3; pawns a2/b3/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen g6; rook f8; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook f8→d8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/pppQ2pp/1b4q1/4p3/8/1PP3PN/P4PKP/3R4 b - - 3 21

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