Chess Puzzle #29wyw — Beginner, Black to move, endgame

Rating 447 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rook c1; pawns e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; rooks a6/c5; pawns a7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a6→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c5→c1).
  3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook a1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/p5kp/r5p1/2r5/8/4P3/5PPP/2R3K1 w - - 0 31

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