Chess Puzzle #1b6YG — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1174 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rook c1; knight g3; pawns a2/d7/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook d4; pawns a6/b5/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight g3→e4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d4→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2QP2pp/p7/1p2p3/3r4/5PN1/P2q2PP/2R4K w - - 1 36

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