Chess Puzzle #2y8k8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1001 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king e2; rooks a1/e6; bishop c1; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e3/f4. Black: king e8; rooks a8/h1; bishop f8; knight d7; pawns a6/b7/c7/e4/f5/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kd8 — king e8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nf7+ — knight e5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d8→c8).
  3. Best move: Re8# — rook e6→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3kb2/1ppn2p1/p3R3/4Np2/3PpP2/2P1P3/PP2K3/R1B4r b q - 0 19

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