Chess Puzzle #4J1GK — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1329 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king b1; queen c7; rooks d1/f1; pawns a3/b2/c2/h4. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks e2/e6; pawns a7/b7/d4/d6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook e6→e8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen c7→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/ppQ3pp/3pr2q/8/3p3P/P7/1PP1r3/1K1R1R2 b - - 2 27

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