Chess Puzzle #1FAC7 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1089 · Beginner · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king c1; queen g3; rook h1; bishops f4/g6; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2. Black: king c8; queen d5; rook d8; bishop f8; knights e5/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe5 — bishop f4→e5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd2+ — queen d5→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
  3. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d2→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, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1b2/pp4p1/2p2nB1/3qn3/5B2/6Q1/PPP2PP1/2K4R w - - 0 18

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