Chess Puzzle #03LXp — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1164 · Beginner · kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rooks c1/f1; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/d5/e3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/g6; bishop c7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e4/f5/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf5 — queen g5→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxg3+ — rook g6→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies fxg3 (pawn f2→g3, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qxg3+ — queen d6→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  4. Best move: Qh2# — queen g3→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/ppb3p1/2pq2r1/3P1pQ1/4p3/1P2P1PP/PB3P2/2R2RK1 w - - 1 27

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