Chess Puzzle #D5Lt8 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Rating 1413 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f6; rook a7; pawns a2/f4/g4/h4. Black: king g8; rook d5; pawns a4/b5/c6/d4/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
  3. Best move: Rxd8# — rook a8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/R6p/2p2K2/1p1r4/p2p1PPP/8/P7/8 b - - 3 39

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