Chess Puzzle #236Lz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 649 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c8/d1; pawns a3/b4/e3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; rooks d6/d7; knight e5; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook d7→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook d6→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2R3k1/3r1ppp/p2r4/1p2n3/1P6/P3P1P1/5PP1/3R2K1 b - - 1 35

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