Chess Puzzle #1HCQ0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 776 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king d1; queen f5; rooks a1/d4; pawns a2/e4/h3. Black: king h8; queen f8; rooks e2/g2; pawns a7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf5 — queen f8→f5, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen f5→f8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5q1k/p5pp/8/5Q2/3RP3/7P/P3r1r1/R2K4 b - - 7 26

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