Chess Puzzle #1A1F4 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1405 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king b1; queen g3; rook h1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen d5; rook d8; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ng5 — knight f3→g5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd3+ — queen d5→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
  3. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook h1→d1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/5pp1/p3pn2/1p1q4/7P/4PNQ1/PP3PP1/1K5R w - - 0 24

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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