Chess Puzzle #AicxO — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1475 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook b1; knight c3; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c2; rook d8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qxf6 — queen f3→f6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen c2→b1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxb1 (knight c3→b1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rd1# — rook d8→d1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/pp3p1p/2p2np1/8/8/2N2Q2/P1q2PPP/1R4K1 w - - 0 23

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