Chess Puzzle #0Z5gB — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 978 · Beginner · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen a8; rooks a1/h3; bishop d2; pawns a3/d4/e3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen c2; rook f8; knight b8; pawns a6/b5/c4/e6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb4 — bishop d2→b4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen c2→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: Qn3r2/6pk/p3p2p/1p2P3/2pP4/P3P2R/2qB2PP/R5K1 w - - 0 24

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