Chess Puzzle #1pu1M — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 976 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king d4; rooks a6/b7; pawn g3. Black: king h7; rooks e2/f2; pawns a2/f5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king h7→g8. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e2→e8).
  3. Best move: Rxe8# — rook a8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1R5k/R7/5p2/3K4/6P1/p3rr2/8 b - - 5 61

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