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

Rating 509 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king b1; queen f5; rooks d1/h1; bishop c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen d6; rooks d8/e8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/f6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxe4 — pawn d3→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d6→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook h1→d1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k1rr3/ppp4p/2nq1p2/5Q2/4pP2/2BP3P/PPP3P1/1K1R3R w - - 1 19

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