Chess Puzzle #16Tjc — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d5; rooks f1/f2; pawns a3/b3/c2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks a8/f8; bishop a6; pawns a5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f2→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→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: r4rk1/6pp/b6q/p2Q4/8/PP4P1/2P2RKP/5R2 b - - 0 26

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