Chess Puzzle #3HiFe — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1258 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook b2; knight f3; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook c7; bishop g4; pawns a7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop g4→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b2→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1r2ppp/2p5/8/6b1/5N2/PRP2PPP/6K1 b - - 0 18

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