Chess Puzzle #3ZIbi — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1035 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king c1; queen e4; rook h1; pawns a2/b2/c2/e6/f4/h4. Black: king a8; queen f2; rook d8; pawns a7/b7/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e7 — pawn e6→e7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qd2+ — queen f2→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
  3. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook h1→d1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k2r4/pp6/4P1p1/8/4QP1P/8/PPP2q2/2K4R w - - 0 28

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