Chess Puzzle #1O5Rh — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1007 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f2; queen f5; rooks e1/g1; pawns b3/c2/c4/d2/h3. Black: king b8; queen a1; rooks e8/h6; bishop f8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f3/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f5→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e1→e8).
  3. Best move: Qxe8# — queen f8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k2rb2/ppp3p1/7r/5Q1p/2P5/1P3p1P/2PP1K2/q3R1R1 b - - 1 26

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