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

Rating 1486 · Intermediate · back rank mate, deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f1; queen h7; rook a1; pawns a2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rook e6; bishop f6; knight b3; pawns a7/b7/d6/f7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Nd2+ — knight b3→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e6→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pp3p1Q/3prb2/8/2P5/1n6/P4PPP/R4K2 w - - 0 23

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