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

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/b2/f4/f5/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks c8/e8; bishop e5; pawns a6/b7/d4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf4 — bishop e5→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e4→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/1p3ppp/p7/4bPq1/3pQP2/6P1/PP5P/3RR1K1 b - - 0 24

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