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

Rating 1000 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f1; rook d1; knight f5; pawns a3/e5. Black: king c8; rook g3; bishop c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh3 — rook g3→h3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight f5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
  3. Best move: Rd8# — rook d1→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/ppp2p2/2b5/4PNp1/8/P5r1/8/3R1K2 b - - 1 32

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