Chess Puzzle #1aG3q — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 886 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h2; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/c4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king a8; rooks c3/d8; pawns a7/b7/c6/g4/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d1→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook e8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k2r4/pp6/2p5/7p/2P3pP/2r3P1/P4P1K/3RR3 b - - 1 30

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

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