Chess Puzzle #171Bh — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rook d1; knight e4; pawns c2/f3/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen c3; rook e8; knight f5; pawns a3/b4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 10 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e4→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→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: 4r1k1/5ppp/8/5n2/1p2N2P/p1q2PP1/2P3K1/3R4 b - - 1 32

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