Chess Puzzle #21wbu — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 555 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king e3; rook c8; pawns a4/b3/c2/f4/h3. Black: king f6; rook a7; pawns a5/d5/e6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kf5 — king f6→f5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rf8+ — rook c8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook a7→f7).
  3. Best move: Rxf7# — rook f8→f7, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/r6p/4pkp1/p2p4/P4P2/1P2K2P/2P5/8 b - - 1 29

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