Chess Puzzle #2EQ5c — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 736 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook e1; knight c4; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook d8; bishop e7; pawns a7/b7/c5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf6 — bishop e7→f6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→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: 3r2k1/pp2bppp/8/2p1Q1q1/2N5/2P2P2/PP4PP/4R1K1 b - - 2 19

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