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

Rating 988 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook d1; pawns a3/b3/e6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b2; rook f8; bishop e7; pawns a6/b7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen f3→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen b2→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4kr2/1p2b1pp/p3P3/8/8/PP3Q2/1q3PPP/3R2K1 w - - 1 36

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