Chess Puzzle #52ISR — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook f1; pawns c6/g2/h3. Black: king h8; rooks c1/e8; bishop e4; knight e1; pawns g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop e4→c6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen d7→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe8 (bishop c6→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rf8# — rook f1→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/3Q2pp/2P5/8/4b3/7P/6P1/2r1nRK1 b - - 8 48

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.