Chess Puzzle #59A3a — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1131 · Beginner · endgame, kill-box mate, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king c1; queen h6; rook e7; bishop d3; pawns a3/c2/c3/g2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook f8; bishop d5; pawns a6/c5/d7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f8→f7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, kill-box mate, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2qpR2p/p5pQ/2pb4/8/P1PB4/2P3P1/2K5 b - - 3 27

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