Chess Puzzle #0Lcg6 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 977 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook c1; bishops f3/h6; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook e8; bishops f5/f6; pawns a7/d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop f3→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen b2→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc1 (bishop h6→c1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Re1# — rook e8→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4p1p/5bpB/3p1b2/Q7/5B2/Pq3PPP/2R3K1 w - - 0 22

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