Chess Puzzle #3Yzd6 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1046 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king c1; rook d1; bishops e2/g5; knight a4; pawns a3/b4/c2/h2. Black: king c8; rook h8; bishop f2; knight g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: fxg5 — pawn f6→g5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bg4+ — bishop e2→g4, 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: 2k3nr/ppp5/5p2/6B1/NP6/P7/2P1Bb1P/2KR4 b - - 0 21

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