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

Rating 608 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen e8; rooks e3/f1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook a8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c4/c6/g6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook a8→e8, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e3→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nf8 (knight d7→f8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3Q2k/ppqn2pp/2p3p1/8/2p5/4R2P/PPP2PP1/5RK1 b - - 1 23

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