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

Rating 1429 · Intermediate · back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice.

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook d1; pawns a4/b3/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c5; rook f8; pawns a7/b6/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Qd6 — queen d7→d6. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
  3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures queen).
  4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/p2Q2pp/1p6/2q1p3/P1P5/1P6/5PPP/3R2K1 w - - 1 28

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