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

Rating 1090 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen g5; rook d1; bishop f3; knight b5; pawns b2/b7/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a4; rook e8; bishop g6; knight f5; pawns b6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight b5→c7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen a4→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd1 (bishop f3→d1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Re1# — rook e8→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1P3ppp/1p4b1/1N3nQ1/q7/5B2/1P4PP/3R3K w - - 0 25

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