Chess Puzzle #17Pmu — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1476 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rooks d1/h3; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen f4; rook c1; bishop e7; pawns a6/d5/e6/f5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd3 — rook h3→d3. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f4→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook c1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/3kbQ1p/p3p3/3p1p2/5q2/7R/PP4PP/2rR3K w - - 1 33

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