Chess Puzzle #22Q7t — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 489 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rook a1; knights a6/h4; pawns a4/b3/c3/g2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e1; rooks f7/f8; bishop g7; knight e7; pawns a7/c6/d6/e4/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook a1→e1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f7→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p3nrbp/N1pp2p1/4p3/P3p1QN/1PP3P1/6PP/R3q2K w - - 0 30

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