Chess Puzzle #22YM3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 626 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook a1; bishop f3; pawns b3/c4/e5/f2/g3. Black: king g8; rook d4; bishop g6; pawns b7/c6/c7/d3/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d4→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook a8→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: 6k1/1pp2ppp/2p3b1/4P3/2Pr4/1P1p1BP1/5P2/R5K1 b - - 2 23

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