Chess Puzzle #04ANp — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 700 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook d1; knight e4; pawns a2/b3/c4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen e5; rook e8; knight f5; pawns a7/f4/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd6 — knight e4→d6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/p5pk/7p/4qn2/2P1Np2/1P3P2/P1Q3PP/3R3K w - - 5 42

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