Chess Puzzle #1505Q — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 927 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king h1; queen a7; rook f1; pawns a5/b4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d5/d8; bishop e5; knight f6; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight f6→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen a7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→f8, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/Q4ppp/4pn2/P2rb3/1P6/7P/6P1/5R1K b - - 0 34

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