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

Rating 480 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, pillsburys mate, short.

Position

White: king f1; rook b5; bishop b1; pawn h4. Black: king g8; rooks a3/c7; pawns c4/f7/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook a3→a1. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b5→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2r2pp1/8/1R5p/2p4P/r7/8/1B3K2 b - - 1 40

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