Chess Puzzle #2XdtC — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1327 · Intermediate · endgame, epaulette mate, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame.

Position

White: king g2; rooks a7/b2; pawns a2/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e6; rooks a4/f6; pawns a6/d5/e5/f5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rb6+ — rook b2→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king e6→e5).
  3. Best move: Re7+ — rook a7→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Re6 (rook f6→e6).
  4. Best move: Rbxe6# — rook b6→e6, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, epaulette mate, long, mate, mate in 3, rook endgame. The combination ends with Rbxe6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/R7/p3kr1p/3ppp2/r7/4P1P1/PR3PKP/8 b - - 1 36

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