Chess Puzzle #1A3HA — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 900 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook a4; pawns b6/c5/d4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen f6; rook a8; pawns b7/e6/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook a8→a4, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen f6→d8).
  3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen b8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6k/1p4pp/1P2pq2/2P2p2/R2P1Q2/7P/6P1/6K1 b - - 0 40

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