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

Rating 895 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rook e1; bishops d5/g3; pawns b3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c3; rook f8; bishop g4; pawns a5/c7/d6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen b7→c6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen c3→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe1 (bishop g3→e1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rf1# — rook f8→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1Qp3pp/3p4/p2B4/6b1/1Pq3B1/6PP/4R2K w - - 3 26

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