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

Rating 1042 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/h1; bishop f4; pawns a2/b2/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e5; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re6 — rook e5→e6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e6→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: rn4k1/pp3ppp/2p5/2P1rp2/5B2/8/PP3PPP/2KR3R b - - 1 18

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