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

Rating 702 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king e1; queen g3; rooks a1/g4; bishop g2; pawns a2/c4/e2/f2/f4/h5. Black: king g8; queen d2; rooks d8/f8; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/f6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf1 — king e1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/pp2n1p1/5p1p/7P/2P2PR1/6Q1/P2qPPB1/R3K3 w Q - 2 28

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