Chess Puzzle #25bKX — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 764 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen e6; rook e1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/g4. Black: king b8; queen f7; rook h8; pawns a7/b7/c7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen f7→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook h8→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: 1k5r/ppp2q2/4Q2p/6p1/6P1/8/PPP2PP1/2K1R3 b - - 0 25

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