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

Rating 1145 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king e5; queen d3; rook d1; bishop e2; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/g4. Black: king c8; queen g2; rook f6; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook f6→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qd7+ — queen d3→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook f8→d8, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/ppp5/1b2pr1p/4K3/6P1/2PQP3/PP2B1q1/3R4 b - - 3 28

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