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

Rating 472 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen a5; rooks a2/h1; pawns b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b7; queen c6; rooks c8/h8; pawns a6/b5/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ka1 — king b1→a1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c6→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook h1→c1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r4r/1k3ppp/p1q5/Qp1p4/3P4/4P2P/RP3PP1/1K5R w - - 2 29

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