Chess Puzzle #1olDj — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 551 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g4; rook d1; pawns d3/e4/f6/h6. Black: king h7; rooks a2/f8; pawns a6/b5/d4/d6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kxh6 — king h7→h6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook d1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Rh2 (rook a2→h2).
  3. Best move: Rxh2# — rook h1→h2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/5p1k/p2p1PpP/1p6/3pP1K1/3P4/r7/3R4 b - - 1 40

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