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

Rating 447 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks a1/e1; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/d5; bishop d3; pawns a7/c5/c6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p1q2ppp/2p5/2pr4/8/1NPbQ3/PP3PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 2 21

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