Chess Puzzle #3qT1y — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1076 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king h1; rooks b8/f1; pawns a3/c2/e4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d2; rook f7; bishop g4; knight g6; pawns a7/c5/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 10 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nf8 — knight g6→f8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook b8→f8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook f7→f8, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1R5k/p4rpp/6n1/2p1p3/4P1b1/P5P1/2Pq3P/5R1K b - - 1 29

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