Chess Puzzle #4kzs2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1197 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rook c1; knight h3; pawns a2/d5/g2. Black: king b8; queen h4; rook d8; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook d8→c8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/ppQ2p2/4p3/3P4/6nq/7N/P5P1/2R4K b - - 1 30

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