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

Rating 1138 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook a1; pawns a2/b5/c4/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook e8; pawns a7/c7/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e7→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p1p1q2p/6p1/1P3p2/2PQ4/3P4/P4PPP/R5K1 w - - 1 27

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