Chess Puzzle #15aUm — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 864 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen b7; rook d1; pawns b2/c2/f4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; bishop b8; knight f6; pawns a6/b4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen b6→b7, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1b4k1/1Q3ppp/pq2pn2/8/1p3PP1/7P/1PP4K/3R4 b - - 4 26

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