Chess Puzzle #16pIh — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 713 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king c7; rook e4; pawn c5. Black: king a7; rook d5; pawns b7/c6/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook d5→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra4+ — rook e4→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Ra5 (rook c5→a5).
  3. Best move: Rxa5# — rook a4→a5, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxa5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/kpK2p2/2p1p3/2Pr4/4R3/8/8/8 b - - 11 48

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