Chess Puzzle #LBXyz — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1429 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king h1; rooks f3/g7; pawns c4/g2. Black: king h5; rooks a2/c2; pawns a6/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook c2→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Rh3+ — rook f3→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Rh4 (rook c4→h4).
  3. Best move: g4# — pawn g2→g4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with g4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/6R1/p3p2p/7k/2P5/5R2/r1r3P1/7K b - - 2 38

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