Chess Puzzle #19lfU — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 975 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks e1/f1; bishop b8; pawns a2/b2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b6; rook h8; bishop c8; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen b6→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bd6+ — bishop b8→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
  3. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1Bb2k1r/1p3ppp/pq6/5P2/8/8/PP4PP/4RR1K b - - 0 21

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