Chess Puzzle #0b98H — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 736 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rook f1; pawns e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d3; rook d8; pawns g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook f1→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/6pp/8/2Q5/8/3qP3/5PPP/5RK1 w - - 1 38

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