Chess Puzzle #1iJ9u — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 519 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks c2/d1; bishop f4; pawns a4/b4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks d7/f5; bishop e3; pawns a6/b7/d2/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf4 — bishop e3→f4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p1r1ppp/p7/5r2/PP3B2/4b3/2Rp2PP/3R3K b - - 5 32

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.