Chess Puzzle #41S4m — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1106 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king h1; queen g6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rook f7; bishops d6/e6; pawns a5/b5/c6/e5. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king h1→g1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Bc5+ — bishop d6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies d4 (pawn d3→d4).
  3. Best move: Bxd4+ — bishop c5→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  4. Best move: Rf1# — rook f7→f1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/5r2/2pbb1Q1/pp2p3/4P3/2NP4/PPP3PP/7K w - - 0 29

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