Chess Puzzle #1NUzG — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1314 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks c1/f1; bishop f4; pawns a2/b2/f2/h2. Black: king b8; queen h4; rook d6; bishop g2; pawns a7/b7/d4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop g2→f3, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd6+ — bishop f4→d6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
  3. Best move: Rc8# — rook c1→c8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/pp4pp/3r4/8/3p1B1q/5Q2/PP3PbP/2R2RK1 b - - 3 21

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