Chess Puzzle #I2dtJ — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1749 · Advanced · back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short.

Position

White: king f1; queen g3; rooks a1/h1; bishops e3/f5; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/b4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks a8/e8; knights b6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king f1→g1. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc1 (bishop e3→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: r3r1k1/ppp2pp1/1n3n1p/5B2/1PqP4/4B1Q1/PP3PPP/RN3K1R w - - 1 17

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