Chess Puzzle #59fLd — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1002 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rook f2; pawns a2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks d8/e3; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/d4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen h5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→f8, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f2→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: 3r2k1/1p4pp/p1n5/7Q/3p4/1P2r2P/P4RP1/6K1 b - - 0 29

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