Chess Puzzle #2T5Hl — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 494 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook b1; pawns a2/c2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxd7 — queen c7→d7, captures queen. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen d7→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1qQ1ppp/8/8/8/2P5/P1P2PPP/1R4K1 b - - 0 25

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