Chess Puzzle #3BcSH — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1255 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king b3; rooks d7/f4; pawns a2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king c5; rooks e2/e8; pawns a6/b6/f6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook e2→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rc4+ — rook f4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c5→b5).
  3. Best move: Rd5# — rook d7→d5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rd5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/3R3p/pp3p2/2k5/5R2/1KP5/P3r1PP/8 b - - 15 32

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