What does mate in two mean?
You must deliver checkmate on your second move, allowing for the opponent’s best defence. The sequence is your move, the opponent’s reply, then your mating move. Finding a check is not enough: consider escapes, captures and blocking moves.
Each of these three puzzles has one first move that forces mate in two and one legal reply. You can make mistakes and try again, with no clock and no account.
Start the puzzles ↓1. Close the back rank
White to move · White at the bottom
Select a piece, then its destination. You can also use Tab and Enter.
Find your first move.
Show hint
Your rook can reach the eighth rank with check. Calculate the opponent’s blocking move too.
Show solution and explanation
1. Rd8+ Re8 2. Rxe8#
Rd8+ forces Black’s rook to block with ...Re8: the king cannot escape because its pawns occupy f7, g7 and h7. Rxe8# removes the final defender.
2. Find the route with Black
Black to move · Black at the bottom
Select a piece, then its destination. You can also use Tab and Enter.
Find your first move.
Show hint
Look for a rook check on the first rank. The bishop helps cover the white king’s escape squares.
Show solution and explanation
1... Re1+ Kf2 2... Rf1#
...Re1+ leaves White only Kf2. The rook continues with ...Rf1#: the king is in check, with no legal capture, block or escape.
3. Coordinate two pieces
White to move · White at the bottom
Select a piece, then its destination. You can also use Tab and Enter.
Find your first move.
Show hint
Start with a knight check. Then look at the squares your queen can reach.
Show solution and explanation
1. Ng6+ Kg8 2. Qh8#
Ng6+ forces the black king to g8. Qh8# uses the knight’s control of f8 and h8: the king can neither capture the queen nor escape.
Ready to race against the clock?
Take your practice to your phone with Rush64 Chess: solve chess puzzles against the clock and challenge your friends. Watch a short demonstration before downloading.
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How to learn from each puzzle
- Identify whose turn it is and find the opposing king.
- Look for checks and examine every legal reply.
- Calculate your second move before playing the first.
- After checkmate, explain which piece covers each escape.
Common questions
Can I solve these without installing the app?
Yes. All three puzzles, their hints and solutions are free on this page. You can move the pieces without signing up.
Why is my checking move not the solution?
A check may allow a defence that prevents mate on your next move. The task requires a mating continuation against every legal reply.
Can I read the solution without playing?
Yes. Open “Show solution and explanation”. Hints, explanations and diagrams remain available even when JavaScript is disabled.