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

Rating 1153 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen b7; rook d1; bishop f1; pawns a2/b2/c2/g3. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/h8; bishop f5; pawns a7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook a8→c8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop f5→c8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5kr/pQ3ppp/2p3q1/5b2/8/6P1/PPP5/2KR1B2 b - - 0 24

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