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

Rating 1435 · Intermediate · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook d5; knights b5/g4; pawns b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rooks a1/f8; pawns c5/d6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook d5→d1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e6→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures queen).
  3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook a1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5ppp/3pq3/1NpR4/6N1/2P2Q2/1P3PPP/r5K1 w - - 2 20

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