Chess Puzzle #1j9vk — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 703 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks d1/e1; bishop g3; knight c4; pawns a2/b2/d4/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks e8/f8; bishop g5; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exf5 — pawn e4→f5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen e7→e1, captures rook, 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, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/p1pnq1pp/1p1p4/5pb1/2NPP3/5QB1/PP3PPP/3RR1K1 w - - 0 19

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