Chess Puzzle #1A1Q5 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 468 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen d3; pawns a2/b2/c2/h4. Black: king h6; rook f8; pawns a7/b6/c7/e5/g4/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen d3→d7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f8→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d7→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook f1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r2/p1p5/1p4pk/4p3/6pP/3Q4/PPP5/1K6 w - - 0 36

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