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

Rating 745 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen c4; rook e1; bishop g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook d8; knight f6; pawns c6/c7/e4/e6/g7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen c4→c3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d5→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook e1→d1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2p3p1/2p1pn2/3q3p/2Q1pP2/6PP/PPP5/1K2R1B1 w - - 2 28

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