Chess Puzzle #1K4ZZ — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1243 · Intermediate · advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion.

Position

White: king h1; queen c8; rook a1; pawns b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king b5; queen b7; rook d2; bishop d4; pawns a7/b6/c5/e2/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen c8→b7, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: exd1=Q# — pawn e2→d1, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with exd1=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/pq5p/1p4p1/1kp5/3b4/8/1PPrp1PP/R6K w - - 4 32

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