Chess Puzzle #0SR1K — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 987 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks c7/e7; pawns b7/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a4/f8; pawns a5/e6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook c7→c8. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a4→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c8→c1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook a1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1PR1R1p1/4p2p/p3P3/r7/8/6PP/6K1 w - - 0 32

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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