Chess Puzzle #0Rzo9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 447 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook c3; pawns d6/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; rook e7; pawns a5/b5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook e7→d7. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/4rpp1/3P3p/pp6/8/2R2KP1/5P1P/8 b - - 0 32

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