Chess Puzzle #23w8f — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 760 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king c1; queen f5; rook h1; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d7/d8; bishop d6; pawns a6/b7/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxh7 — queen f5→h7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bf4+ — bishop d6→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
  3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d7→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook h1→d1, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/1ppr2pp/p2b4/5Q2/8/8/PPP3PP/2K4R w - - 2 22

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