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

Rating 839 · Beginner · endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king b1; queen e2; rook d1; pawns a3/b2/g4/h3. Black: king g7; queen d4; rook e4; knight d3; pawns b3/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxd3 — queen e2→d3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxd3+ — queen d4→d3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd3 (rook d1→d3, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Re1+ — rook e4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d3→d1).
  4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook e1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pkp/6p1/8/3qr1P1/Pp1n3P/1P2Q3/1K1R4 w - - 0 35

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