&K

Mini-
Two Rook Lesson
Checkmate r0 Level: Beginner

The two rook checkmate is one of the simplest checkmates you can use.

1) This is the basic

7888888889 2) The first step in 7888888889
end position of a 4 0 0k0
8 0k0 06 setting up this 4 & 0k0
8 0k0 06
2-rook checkmate. 40 0 0 0 6
7
checkmate is to 40
7 0 0 0 6
4
6 0 0 0 06 position one rook 4
6 r0 0 0 06
Note how the king 40 0 0 0 6
5 so it creates a 40
5 0 0 0K6
0K6
is on the edge. 4
4 0 0 0 06 “line of doom” 4 0 0 0 06
4
One rook has the 40 0 0 0 6
3 that the king 40
3 0 0 0 6
king in check, the 4r0 0 0 06
2 cannot cross. 4 0 0 0 06
2
other has cut off 40r0
40r0 ( 0 6
1
40
1 0 0 0 6
any possibility of 1222222223
a b c d e f g h 1222222223
a b c d e f g h
escape.

7888888889 4) Notice the “line

7888888889
of doom” has
3) Next, bring the 4 0 0k0
8 0k0 06 4 0 0k0
8 0k0 06
moved further
second rook down 40 0 0 0 6
7
limiting the king’s 40 0 0 0 6
7
and put the king in
check.
4
6 r0 0 0 06
options. 4
6 0 0 0 06
40r0
40
5 r0 0 ( 6 40r0
40r0 0 0 6
5
The king has only 4 0 0 0 06
4
Now bring the 4
4 r0 0 ( 06
one direction to go 40
3 0 0 0 6 other rook down 40
3 0 0 0 6
and that is toward 4
2 0 0 0 06 and place the king 4
2 0 0 0 06
the rank at the edge 40 0 0 0 6
1 in check again. 40
1 0 0 0 6
of the board. 1222222223
a b c d e f g h This forces the
1222222223
a b c d e f g h
king ever closer to
the edge.

6) The most common defense against the 2-rook

7888888889 checkmate is for the king to attack one of the rooks.
5) Continue to force 8
4 0 0k0 0k0 06
the king to the edge 7 7888888889 7888888889
in this manner until 6
40 0 0 0 6 8
4 0 0 0 06
8
4 0 0 0 06
checkmate. 4 0 0 0 06 7
40 0 0 0 6
6
7
40 0 0 0 6
6
40
5 0 0 0 6 4 0 0 0 06 4 0 0 0 06
40 0 0 0 6 40 0 0 0 6
5 5

This pattern of moves4 0 0 0 06

4
4r0 0 0 06
4
4r0 0 0 06
4

with the two rooks is 40 0 0 0 6 40r0K0

40r0K0 0 6 40 0 0 0r6 0r6
3 3 3
4 0 0 0 06
2 4 0K0
2 0K0 0 06
sometimes called a 2 4r0 0 0 06 40 0 0 0 6
1 40 0 0 0 6
1
“slinky”. Can you 40r0
40
1 r0 ( 0 6 1222222223
a b c d e f g h 1222222223
a b c d e f g h
guess why? 1222222223
a b c d e f g h
If this occurs, just move the attacked rook to
the other side and continue the attack.

V2.1 © 2008 Sand castle Productions (C.R. Beach)