Chess Puzzle #1n0Ay — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 991 · Beginner · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen f6; rooks d1/d6; knight c3; pawns a3/b2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks e8/f7; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/c6/e5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qg5 — queen f6→g5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen b6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f7→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1p3r1p/pqpR1Qn1/4p3/4P3/P1N5/1P3PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 21

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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