Chess Puzzle #17qx6 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 668 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g2; rooks d5/f3; pawns a5/c3/e3/g4/h4. Black: king g8; rooks b3/e6; pawns a7/c4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook b3→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e6→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p5pp/4r3/P2R4/2p3PP/1rP1PR2/6K1/8 b - - 0 32

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