Chess Puzzle #1TlL2 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 991 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h2; rooks a7/c5; pawns b4/c7/g2/g3. Black: king d7; rooks c8/d1; pawns b5/e6/f7/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxb5 — rook c5→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook c8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Rh5 (rook b5→h5).
  3. Best move: Rxh5# — rook h8→h5, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/R1Pk1pp1/4p3/1pR5/1P6/6P1/6PK/3r4 w - - 4 48

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