Chess Puzzle #2ty9Y — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1023 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d2; bishop a5; knight b3; pawns a3/b2/c3/f3/g3. Black: king g8; rooks c4/c8; bishop h4; knight f4; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxg3 — bishop h4→g3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5ppp/p3p3/Bp6/2r2n1b/PNP2PP1/1P1R4/3R2K1 b - - 0 28

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

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