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

Rating 1176 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks a6/b7; pawns a3/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; rooks c3/d5; pawns f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Raa7 — rook a6→a7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
  3. Best move: Rh5# — rook d5→h5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1R3p1p/R5p1/3r4/8/P1r3P1/5PP1/6K1 w - - 2 31

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