Chess Puzzle #2J5Mb — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 878 · Beginner · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen g6; rooks a1/g3; bishop d4; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks a8/f7; bishops d7/g7; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxg7 — bishop d4→g7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f4→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f7→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: r5k1/1p1b1rb1/p3p1Q1/3p4/3B1q2/6R1/PPP3PP/R6K w - - 0 21

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