Chess Puzzle #2k1OF — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1180 · Beginner · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/e4/e6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen e2→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen f6→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp4p1/2n1pq1p/8/3Pp3/2P5/PP2Q1PP/R1B1R1K1 w - - 0 18

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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