Chess Puzzle #DL7VH — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1453 · Intermediate · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rooks d1/f3; bishop b3; pawns a4/c4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks d4/d8; knight b8; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qb1+ — queen g6→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Bd1 (bishop b3→d1).
  3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen b1→d1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook d4→d1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1n1r2k1/5pp1/4p1qp/2Q1P3/P1Pr4/1B3R2/5PPP/3R2K1 w - - 0 27

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