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

Rating 422 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rooks e1/e4; bishops d2/f1; pawns a4/b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook d8; bishop h2; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/c5/d3/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d8→d5, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Nf8 (knight g6→f8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/1pq3pp/p5n1/2pQ4/P3R3/2Pp3P/1P1B1PPb/4RB1K b - - 2 26

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