Chess Puzzle #2Bc8v — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 685 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen d1; rooks c1/h1; bishop e2; knights a2/f3; pawns a3/b4/d3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f2; rook a8; bishops a4/e3; knights b8/f6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd1 — bishop a4→d1, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn4k1/pp3ppp/5n2/8/bP6/P2PbN1P/N3BqP1/1KRQ3R b - - 9 19

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