Chess Puzzle #237XC — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 588 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook a4; pawns c3/e3/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook d8; pawns b7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d8→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook a8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1p3ppp/2p1p3/4P3/R4P2/2P1P3/6PP/6K1 b - - 0 21

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