Chess Puzzle #16fnj — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 817 · Beginner · mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen h5; rooks a1/e2; bishop g5; pawns a2/b3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queens c1/c6; rook f6; bishops a8/d6; pawns a6/b5/g7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook a1→c1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c6→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc1 (bishop g5→c1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rf1# — rook f6→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: b5k1/6p1/p1qb1r2/1p4BQ/8/1P6/P3R1PP/R1q4K w - - 0 37

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