Chess Puzzle #2SUw3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 775 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks e1/e3; knight h4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/e8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bf4 — bishop d6→f4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e3→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp3ppp/1qpb1p2/8/3P3N/2P1R2P/PP1Q1PP1/4R1K1 b - - 0 17

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