Chess Puzzle #1ws7r — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 558 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king b1; queen h7; rook e1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/h3. Black: king f8; queen e5; rooks a8/g2; bishop c8; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rg1+ — rook g2→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e5→e1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook g1→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nd1 (knight c3→d1).
  4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook e1→d1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2k2/1pp2p1Q/p7/3Pq3/8/2N4P/PPP3r1/1K2R3 w - - 0 22

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