Chess Puzzle #ASzRQ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1424 · Intermediate · back rank mate, deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a8/d8; bishop e1; pawns a2/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen g5; rook f5; knight e8; pawns a6/b5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re5 — rook f5→e5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Bb4+ — bishop e1→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook d8→e8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook e5→e8, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook a8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: R2Rnk2/5ppp/p7/1p3rq1/8/4P2P/P4PP1/4B1K1 b - - 2 30

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