Chess Puzzle #1I20Z — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 488 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook d1; bishop b7; pawns a2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a7; rook c8; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen a7→b7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/qB3ppp/4p3/8/8/6P1/P2Q1P1P/3R2K1 b - - 0 27

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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