Chess Puzzle #08MJl — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 937 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/b1; pawns a2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen d4; pawns b5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 10 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb5 — rook b1→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen d4→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook b5→b1).
  3. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen a1→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen f3→d1).
  4. Best move: Qxd1# — queen b1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, hanging piece, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/4kpp1/4p2p/1p6/3q4/3P1Q2/P4PPP/RR4K1 w - - 6 21

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