Chess Puzzle #25jv4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 768 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen c3; rook g1; bishop b2; knights e3/g2; pawns a3/b4/e5/f3/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook e2; bishops g5/g6; knight h6; pawns a7/d3/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe3 — bishop g5→e3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen b6→d8).
  3. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4ppp/1q2p1bn/4P1b1/1P4P1/P1QpNP2/1B2r1NP/1K4R1 b - - 8 28

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