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

Rating 443 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king d2; queen f8; rooks f1/f3; knight e2; pawns c3/d4/e3/g5/h4. Black: king h8; queen e4; rook e8; bishop d6; pawns c6/d5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf8 — bishop d6→f8, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f3→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4rQ1k/6pp/2pb4/3p2P1/3Pq2P/2P1PR2/3KN3/5R2 b - - 0 32

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