Chess Puzzle #1mvu4 — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1353 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king c5; rook b8; pawn c2. Black: king a5; rook d7; pawns c6/d4/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook b8→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ra7 (rook d7→a7).
  3. Best move: Rxa7# — rook a8→a7, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxa7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/3r2p1/2p5/k1K5/3p4/8/2P5/8 b - - 1 49

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