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

Rating 1020 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks e1/f1; bishop e6; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e5; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f3→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxf8 (knight d7→f8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pp1n2pp/2p1B2q/3pb3/8/P1N2Q2/1PP3PP/4RR1K b - - 2 17

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