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

Rating 1098 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king c1; rooks e1/h1; bishops c4/f4; knights c7/f7; pawns a2/b2/c2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d4; rooks a8/f8; bishop f6; knights b8/h5; pawns a7/b7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures knight. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn3r1k/ppN2Npp/5b2/7n/2Bq1B2/6P1/PPP4P/2K1R2R b - - 3 18

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