The two-rook ladder
Two rooks climb the king to the edge
Try this lesson in Chess40Step 1
Two rooks mate without their king. They take turns giving check, one rank at a time, while the other guards the rank behind: like climbing a ladder.
Step 2
Check, step, check, step, mate.
The moves: 1. Rb6+ Ke7 2. Ra7+ Ke8 3. Rb8#
Step 3
White to play: mate in one.
White to move.
Show the answer
Solution: 1. Rb8#
Step 4
White to play: mate in two, climbing the ladder.
White to move.
Show the answer
Solution: 1. Ra7+ Ke8 2. Rb8#
Step 5
Why do the rooks keep their distance from the king?
- So the king cannot capture them
- Rooks may not stand near a king
- To leave the king room to escape
Show the answer
Answer: So the king cannot capture them