Chess Puzzle #1u4Zb — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 765 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook e1; bishop d2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook a8; bishop f6; pawns a7/c5/c6/d4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen d5→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p4ppp/2p2b2/2pq4/3pQP2/3P4/PPPB2PP/4R1K1 b - - 0 18

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