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

Rating 826 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rook f1; knight e2; pawns a2/e4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook d8; bishop e5; pawns a7/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→f8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p4Qpp/4p3/4b3/4P3/7P/P2qN1P1/5R1K b - - 0 28

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