Chess Puzzle #58xuB — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1184 · Beginner · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks e1/h3; bishops b3/g5; pawns a2/b2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c5; rooks e7/f8; bishop b7; knight h7; pawns a6/b5/e6/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bxe7 — bishop g5→e7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1b2r1pn/p3p3/1pqPQ1B1/8/1B5R/PP3PPP/4R1K1 w - - 1 29

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