Chess Puzzle #0b9zJ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 564 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks b1/g3; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f2; rook f8; bishop g7; pawns a6/b6/c5/d4/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook b1→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/6b1/pp4Qp/2p5/3p4/P2P2R1/1PP2qPP/1R4K1 w - - 4 31

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