Chess Puzzle #18y7Z — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 669 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook c1; bishop a2; pawns a3/b4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen d3; rook d8; bishop e7; pawns a4/b5/e6/f5/h6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen c2→c6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/4bk1p/4p2p/1p2Pp2/pP6/P2q4/B1Q2PPP/2R3K1 w - - 2 26

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