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

Rating 876 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rooks a1/e1; bishop f4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen g4; rooks d8/h8; pawns b7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d8→d6, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bxd6+ — bishop f4→d6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
  3. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k1r/1p3ppp/3Q4/5P2/5Bq1/8/PPP3PP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 28

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