Chess Puzzle #1yE9E — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 742 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f2; rook d8; pawns a3/b3/c4. Black: king h3; rook f6; pawns a7/f3/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: g4 — pawn g5→g4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook d8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Rh6 (rook f6→h6).
  3. Best move: Rxh6# — rook h8→h6, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/p7/5r2/6p1/2P5/PP3p1k/5K2/8 b - - 3 55

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