Chess Puzzle #LK5CG — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1477 · Intermediate · back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice.

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rooks a1/e1; bishop b3; pawns a2/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen c3; rooks a8/h8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/c7/d7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qe7+ — queen f7→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d8→c8).
  3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook h8→e8, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2k3r/1bpp1Qpp/p7/1p6/8/1Bq2P2/P1P3PP/R3R2K b - - 1 17

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