Chess Puzzle #2HxwY — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king c5; rook h1; pawns a5/e5/f3/f4. Black: king a6; rook f2; pawns e6/f5/g6/h2. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxa5 — king a6→a5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook h1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Ra2 (rook f2→a2).
3. Best move: Rxa2# — rook a1→a2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxa2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/k3p1p1/P1K1Pp2/5P2/5P2/5r1p/7R b - - 2 54

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