Chess Puzzle #1umf9 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 762 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rook a1; bishops c2/g3; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f6; rook f8; bishops b6/g4; pawns a7/c6/c7/d5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd2 — queen e2→d2. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f6→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/p1p5/1bp2q1p/3p4/2P3b1/6B1/PPB1Q1PP/R6K w - - 4 32

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