Chess Puzzle #2rkfP — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1052 · Beginner · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king g1; rooks d5/d7; pawns a3/c3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; rooks b8/e2; pawns c5/f5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc5 — rook d5→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d7→d1).
  3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook b1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/3R2p1/7p/2pR1p2/5P2/P1P3P1/4r2P/6K1 w - - 0 31

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