Chess Puzzle #1O0M7 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 773 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; rook a6. Black: king e1; rook d2. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook d2→b2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a6→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook b2→b1).
  3. Best move: Rxb1# — rook a1→b1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/R7/8/8/4K3/3r4/4k3 b - - 59 110

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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