Chess Puzzle #2ORo4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 705 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f3; rook a5; pawns a4/c6/f2/f4/h2. Black: king h8; rook c8; pawns b4/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc6 — rook c8→c6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c6→c8).
  3. Best move: Rxc8# — rook a8→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/6pp/2P2p2/R7/Pp3P2/5K2/5P1P/8 b - - 0 37

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