Chess Puzzle #1WK8c — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 776 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook d1; bishop f3; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks d7/e8; bishop f6; pawns b5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxd7 — queen d3→d7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/3r1p1p/5bp1/1p2q3/8/1N1Q1B2/PP3PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 29

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