Chess Puzzle #51NAn — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Rating 1350 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king a6; rook b4; pawns b6/e4. Black: king c6; rook h1; pawn f6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: b7 — pawn b6→b7. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook h1→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Ra4 (rook b4→a4).
  3. Best move: Rxa4# — rook a1→a4, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxa4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/KPk2p2/8/1R2P3/8/8/7r w - - 7 44

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