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

Rating 1015 · Beginner · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rooks a1/e5; bishop g5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d4; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/b7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rae1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen d4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/pp2Q1pp/8/4R1B1/3q4/3P4/PPP2PPP/R5K1 w - - 1 20

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