Chess Puzzle #15eCE — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1162 · Beginner · back rank mate, deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rook f3; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook d1; pawns a7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook f3→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen g5→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook d1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1Q3pp/5p2/6q1/2P5/5R2/PP4PP/3r2K1 w - - 1 24

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