Chess Puzzle #1WIw0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1010 · Beginner · endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king a1; queen c3; rook d1; bishop a3; pawns a2/b2/g2. Black: king f7; queen b6; rook d5; pawns a6/e6/f4/f5/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qg1+ — queen b6→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d5→d1).
  3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen g1→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen c3→c1).
  4. Best move: Qxc1# — queen d1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5k2/pq2p1p1/3r1p2/5p2/B1Q5/PP4P1/K2R4 w - - 2 33

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