Chess Puzzle #0h8MF — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 432 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f6; rook b4; pawn a6. Black: king f8; rook c7; pawns a7/c6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/p1r4p/P1p2K2/8/1R6/8/8/8 b - - 0 49

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