Chess Puzzle #4QCrL — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1125 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks a1/c1; pawns b3/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks c3/c8; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c3→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen a6→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook c2→c8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4ppp/Q3p3/3p4/8/1Pr2P2/1qP3PP/R1R3K1 b - - 3 26

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