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

Rating 591 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen b8; rooks c1/c7; bishop e3; knight f3; pawns d4/e5/f2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook d8; bishop h7; knight f5; pawns a5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb8 — rook d8→b8, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1Q1r2k1/2R2ppb/4p2p/p3Pn1P/3Pq3/4BN2/5PP1/2R3K1 b - - 0 28

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