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

Rating 877 · Beginner · long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice.

Position

White: king b1; queen e4; rook h1; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b3/c2/f3/g2. Black: king c7; queen a3; rooks d6/d8; bishop e6; pawns a7/c6/e7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rh6 — rook h1→h6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d6→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd1 (knight c3→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Nc1 (knight e2→c1).
  4. Best move: Qxc1# — queen a3→c1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p1k1p3/2prb3/8/4Q3/qPN2P2/P1P1N1P1/1K5R w - - 3 29

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