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

Rating 612 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook c5; knight f3; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook b2; knight c6; pawns a4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne7 — knight c6→e7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight e7→c8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen c4→c8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5ppp/2n1p3/2R5/p1QP4/4PN1P/qr3PP1/6K1 b - - 1 23

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