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

Rating 1087 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rooks a1/g1; pawns a2/b3/c4/d3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks f6/h6; pawns a7/b6/c5/d4/f4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rfg6 — rook f6→g6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen d5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qb8 (queen c7→b8).
  3. Best move: Qxb8# — queen a8→b8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1q2ppp/1p3r1r/2pQ4/2PpPp2/1P1P3P/P4PP1/R5RK b - - 11 28

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