Chess Puzzle #1CIO2 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 846 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king b5; rook f1; knight d5; pawns g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook a2; knight e5; pawns g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook a2→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Rf8# — rook f1→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6pp/8/1K1Nn3/8/8/r5PP/5R2 b - - 0 29

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