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

Rating 1145 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king a4; rook a7; pawns a2/b3/f2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king c5; rook b8; pawns f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg7 — rook a7→g7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook b8→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ra7 (rook g7→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/R5pp/5p2/2k5/K4P2/1P4P1/P4P1P/8 w - - 10 44

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