Chess Puzzle #243MP — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Rating 944 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king e5; rooks b7/c5; pawns a2/b2/e4. Black: king g8; rooks d2/g6; pawns a6/d5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: dxe4 — pawn d5→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d2→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1R6/p5r1/2RpK3/4P3/8/PP1r4/8 b - - 0 39

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