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

Rating 1122 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook d1; pawns a3/c3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b2; rook f8; pawns b7/d6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxd6 — queen d4→d6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen b2→f2, 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: 5r1k/1p4p1/3p3p/8/3Q4/P1P5/1q4PP/3R2K1 w - - 0 27

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