Chess Puzzle #17GCe — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 769 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook d1; bishop d3; pawns a3/b4/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen e5; rook e8; bishop g7; pawns a6/b5/d4/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxg6 — bishop d3→g6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rk2/5pb1/p5p1/1p2q3/1P1p4/P2B1Q2/2P2PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 27

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