Chess Puzzle #1R8kr — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1014 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h8; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen f6; bishop b6; pawns c7/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 12 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qa8 — queen h8→a8. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen f2→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7Q/2pk1ppp/1b2pq2/8/8/3P4/PPP2PPP/R1B1R1K1 w - - 0 23

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