Chess Puzzle #C8akq — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1415 · Intermediate · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rooks a1/b7; bishop b2; pawns b5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c5; rooks d8/e8; knight b6; pawns c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook a1→c1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c5→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc1 (bishop b2→c1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Re1# — rook e8→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Re1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rr2k/1Rp3pp/1n6/1Pq5/8/1Q3P2/1B4PP/R6K w - - 2 31

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