Chess Puzzle #2Kq6W — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 888 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rooks a1/e1; pawns a2/b3/c2/d6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen a7; rook f4; knights d7/e5; pawns a6/b5/d5/f5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen a7→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f4→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/q2n2kp/p2PQ3/1p1pnp2/5r2/1P6/P1P2PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 30

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