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

Rating 1053 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rook c1; pawns a3/b3/b4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen f6; rook d2; pawns b5/e6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen a6→c6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen f6→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Qxd1# — queen d4→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pk1/Q3pqpp/1p6/1P6/PP3P2/3r2PP/2R3K1 w - - 1 31

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