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

Rating 764 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks b7/f1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks c3/e2; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook e2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c3→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pR3ppp/8/8/8/2r5/P3rPPP/5RK1 b - - 0 23

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