Chess Puzzle #5xTQk — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1516 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook f1; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook a8; bishop c8; pawns a6/b5/d4/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bb7 — bishop c8→b7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f3→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
  3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→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: r1b3k1/6pp/p3p3/1p1q4/3pN3/5Q2/PP4PP/5RK1 b - - 3 26

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