Chess Puzzle #4YOik — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; rooks c1/c7; pawns a4/e4/f2. Black: king b7; rooks b2/f3; pawns b4/e5/f7/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb6 — king b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: R1c6+ — rook c1→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king b6→a5).
3. Best move: Ra7# — rook c7→a7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Ra7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1kR2p2/8/4p2p/Pp2P1p1/5r2/1r3PK1/2R5 b - - 3 34

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.