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

Rating 1022 · Beginner · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook a1; bishop c1; knight d6; pawns a2/b3/d3/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen h4; rook f8; bishop d7; pawns b7/e6/g6/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb2 — bishop c1→b2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen h4→f2, 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 f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r2/1p1b3k/3Np1pp/4Q3/7q/1P1P4/P5PP/R1B3K1 w - - 3 30

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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