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

Rating 652 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; pawns a4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook b8; pawns a5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxd2 — queen d5→d2, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen d2→c1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook b1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/5ppp/8/p2Q4/P7/8/3q1PPP/6K1 w - - 0 34

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