Chess Puzzle #12LAH — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 436 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king c1; rook e1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d5/h6. Black: king h8; rook f6; pawns a7/b7/c4/e6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f6→f8).
  3. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/pp5p/4pr1P/3P4/2p5/2P5/PP6/2K1R3 b - - 0 31

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