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

Rating 884 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks c4/f1; pawns a4/b5/d3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen f6; rook f7; knight e6; pawns a7/b6/c5/e5/g6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook f1→a1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f7→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p3kr2/1p2nqp1/1Pp1p3/P1R1P1Q1/3P4/5PPP/5RK1 w - - 0 28

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