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

Rating 1133 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king g1; queen e8; rook d1; pawns a6/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks f5/f8; bishop f4; pawn h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qa4 — queen e8→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Be3+ — bishop f4→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f5→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4Qr1k/8/P6p/5r2/3P1b2/2P5/1P4PP/3R2K1 w - - 3 42

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