Chess Puzzle #0Kpyl — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 557 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rook c1; pawns e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c3; rook b8; knight e8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c1→c3, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c3→c1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook b1→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen h5→d1).
  4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r2n1k1/5pp1/4p3/3pP2Q/8/2q5/5PPP/2R3K1 w - - 0 27

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