Endgame · beginner
Two-Rook Ladder Mate
Two rooks mate without the king's help by taking turns, one rank at a time.
Last updated
touch_appPlay it out against Stockfish. You have 6 moves; a move that throws the win away is caught and explained.
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Quick answer
Two rooks mate without any help from the king. One rook cuts off a rank, the other checks on the next rank, and they take turns stepping forward like the rungs of a ladder until the king is on the edge. If the king gets close to a rook, move that rook to the far side of the board.
The technique, step by step
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7
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3
2
1a
b
c
d
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8
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5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Your task on the board
Two rooks mate without the king's help by taking turns, one rank at a time.
- Checkmate
- Goal
- White
- You play
- 6 moves
- Move limit
Tips from the lesson
- 1One rook guards a rank, and the other gives check on the rank beyond it.
- 2Leapfrog: the guarding rook moves up and gives the next check.
- 3If the king gets close to a rook, slide that rook to the far side of the board.
How the pieces work together
Each rook covers one rank, and together they form a wall that walks up the board.
If you get stuck
One rook cuts off a rank, the other checks on the next rank. Then they leapfrog.