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

Rating 1105 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c3/d2; knight d3; pawns b2/b5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d4/d7; bishop h7; pawns a7/e6/f7/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd3 — rook d4→d3, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook d3→d8, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d2→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p2r1ppb/4p3/1P6/3r2P1/2RN3P/1P1R1P2/6K1 b - - 3 36

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