Chess Puzzle #23MJR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 732 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king f2; rooks c1/e1; bishop g3; knight f3; pawns b2/b4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d3; rook c8; bishop c4; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop c4→e6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop e6→c8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp3ppp/8/8/1Pb5/3q1NB1/1P3KPP/2R1R3 b - - 1 19

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