Chess Puzzle #9n2G9 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1402 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king b1; queen g6; rooks e1/h1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/h4. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks e5/e8; pawns a7/b6/c5/d6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ref1 — rook e1→f1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f4→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook h1→f1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Re1+ — rook e5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook f1→e1, captures rook).
  4. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p5p1/1p1p2Q1/2pPr3/5q1P/8/PPP5/1K2R2R w - - 1 27

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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