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

Rating 1136 · Beginner · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; knights b3/g5; pawns b2/c2/d5/e4/f3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen a7; rooks a8/f8; bishop g7; knight e7; pawns c7/e5/f4/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ne6 — knight g5→e6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qa2+ — queen a7→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b1→c1).
  3. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Nxa1 (knight b3→a1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxa1# — rook a8→a1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxa1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/q1p1n1bp/6p1/3Pp1N1/4Pp1P/1N3P2/1PPQ2P1/1K1R3R w - - 3 24

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