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

Rating 1411 · Intermediate · endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king f6; rook a7; pawns a4/f3. Black: king f8; rook e5; knight f4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook e5→c5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c5→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook a8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/R7/5K2/4r3/P4n2/5P2/8/8 b - - 2 68

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