Chess Puzzle #6LeTv — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1500 · Intermediate · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/e1; bishop b7; pawns a2/c2/c3/f2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks b8/c8; knight e5; pawns a5/b4/c4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook b8→b7, captures bishop. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook d1→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rr3k1/1B3ppp/8/p3n3/1pp2P2/q1P4P/P1PQ1PP1/1K1RR3 b - - 1 27

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