Chess Puzzle #1etPl — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 639 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king a1; rook a7; pawns a5/b5. Black: king b3; rook d2. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook a7→c7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c7→c1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook d1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/R7/8/PP6/8/1k6/3r4/K7 w - - 1 59

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