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

Rating 435 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/d2; bishop e3; pawns a3/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks b7/e8; knight f6; pawns a5/b6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop e3→d4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e7→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1r2qpp1/1p3n1p/p7/8/P1P1B3/2QR1PPP/R5K1 w - - 0 21

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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