Chess Puzzle #1Vk3b — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks e1/f2; bishop d2; pawns c3/d4/f5/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks b2/d8; bishop f6; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf5 — pawn e6→f5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5ppp/4pb2/5P2/2qPQ3/2P3P1/1r1B1R1P/4R1K1 b - - 0 33

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.