Chess Puzzle #2Llz5 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 711 · Beginner · endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king a1; queen c7; rooks c1/d7; pawn a2. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks b8/e6; knight c6; pawns a7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c1→c3, captures queen. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e6→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d7→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook e1→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c3→c1).
  4. Best move: Rxc1# — rook d1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1QR1pp1/2n1r2p/8/8/2q5/P7/K1R5 w - - 0 25

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