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

Rating 1442 · Intermediate · endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g3; rook a6; pawns b2/e6/f2/h3. Black: king g8; rook b5; pawns c5/d3/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook b5→b8).
  3. Best move: Rxb8# — rook a8→b8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6pp/R3P3/1rp5/8/3p2KP/1P3P2/8 b - - 0 36

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