Chess Puzzle #1vxf1 — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 498 · Beginner · endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f4; rook c8; pawn a7. Black: king h4; rook a3; pawns g3/h3. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook a3→a7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook c8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Rh7 (rook a7→h7).
  3. Best move: Rxh7# — rook h8→h7, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/P7/8/8/5K1k/r5pp/8/8 b - - 3 66

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

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