Chess Puzzle #2S9VL — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e8; rook e1; bishop d6; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook c8; pawns a5/b4/f5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (1 move)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook c8→e8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 1, one move. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r1Q1k1/5ppp/3B4/p4p2/1p1q4/8/5PPP/4R1K1 b - - 3 32

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.