Chess Puzzle #3DjnP — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1102 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks c1/e1; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/g2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook c8; bishop f6; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c3/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp3ppp/1qn2b2/3p4/8/1Pp2NP1/P3Q1PP/2R1R2K b - - 1 20

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