Chess Puzzle #M5bwp — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Rating 1402 · Intermediate · endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short.

Position

White: king f5; rook a7; pawns d4/g4. Black: king h6; rook c4; pawns a4/c6/d5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook c4→c1. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: g5+ — pawn g4→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h6→h5).
  3. Best move: Rh7# — rook a7→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/R7/2p4k/3p1K2/p1rP2P1/8/8/8 b - - 1 44

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