Chess Puzzle #18tjv — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 983 · Beginner · endgame, epaulette mate, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b1; rook h8; pawn b2. Black: king b3; rook b4; pawns a4/c5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: c4 — pawn c5→c4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh3+ — rook h8→h3, gives check. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c4→c3).
  3. Best move: Rxc3# — rook h3→c3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, epaulette mate, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7R/8/8/2p5/pr6/1k6/1P6/1K6 b - - 9 71

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