Chess Puzzle #3Wpbw — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1227 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; bishop b4; pawns a5/b3/d4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e3; pawns a6/b7/f6/g6/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen e3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Be1 (bishop b4→e1).
  3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen c1→e1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p6/p2Q1ppp/P7/1B1P4/1P2qP2/6PP/6K1 w - - 4 38

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