Chess Puzzle #1O8Xr — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 591 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rook e1; knight d5; pawns e5/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen f2; rook f8; bishop c1; knight c6; pawns a5/b7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook e1→c1, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook c1→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/1p6/2n1Q3/p2NP3/8/8/5qPP/2b1R2K w - - 1 34

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