Chess Puzzle #1d5xU — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 684 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks a1/g3; bishop d3; knight d6; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks a8/e8; bishop f5; knight d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/d4/f7/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxf5 — bishop d3→f5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→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: r3r1k1/pp3pp1/2pN3Q/3nqb2/3p4/3B2R1/PPP2PPP/R5K1 w - - 3 21

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