Chess Puzzle #17SqN — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 560 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook b7; bishops c6/e3; knight f3; pawns a2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; rooks c8/h8; bishop g7; pawns a7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc6 — rook c8→c6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c6→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k1r/pR2ppbp/2B3p1/8/8/4BNP1/P4P1P/6K1 b - - 0 25

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