Chess · Stage 2: Basic mates

Mate with king and rook

Harder than the queen mate, and it teaches the most important endgame idea: the kings fight too.

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The rook cuts the king off along a rank or a file. Walk your own king towards it. When the kings stand face to face, check with the rook to push the king back a rank. If the king attacks your rook, move the rook far away along the same line.