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

Rating 1477 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, X-ray attack.

Position

White: king g1; queen b6; rooks a1/a2; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c3; rook a8; knight e6; pawns a6/c6/d5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa6 — rook a2→a6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen c3→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxa1 (rook a6→a1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxa1+ — rook a8→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qb1 (queen b6→b1).
  4. Best move: Rxb1# — rook a1→b1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5p1p/pQp1n1p1/3p4/3P4/2q1P3/R4PPP/R5K1 w - - 1 29

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