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

Rating 933 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/f1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3. Black: king g8; queen h3; rook a8; bishop f5; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Be4 — bishop f5→e4. 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, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn4k1/ppp3pp/3p4/3N1b2/8/4P2q/PPP5/R4RK1 b - - 7 23

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