Chess Puzzle #1RlN1 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1237 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king b2; rooks a7/h7; pawns a4/b3/h3. Black: king e8; rooks b8/h4; bishop g2; pawns c5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bd5 — bishop g2→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Bg8 (bishop d5→g8).
  3. Best move: Rxg8# — rook h8→g8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r2k3/R6R/7p/2p5/P6r/1P5P/1K4b1/8 b - - 7 43

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