Chess Puzzle #334cT — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1106 · Beginner · back rank mate, deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h2; rook d1; knight f5; pawns b5/c5/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; rooks b4/h8; bishop a5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook h8→d8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight f5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/ppp2ppp/8/bPP2N2/1r2P3/7P/5PPK/3R4 b - - 3 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.