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Ladder Mate, Two Rooks

Ladder mate uses two rooks that climb together, and each rook takes away a rank or a file until the king is trapped on the edge. The two rooks work as a pair, and each rook takes away the squares the other rook does not cover.

The finished shape

This is the finished shape. Ladder mate uses two rooks that climb together, and each rook takes away a rank or a file until the king is trapped on the edge.

FEN: k7/7p/8/8/8/8/R7/KR6 b - - 1 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 R . . . . . . . 2
1 K R . . . . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

The worked example

White plays the mating move here. The two rooks work as a pair, and each rook takes away the squares the other rook does not cover.

FEN: k7/7p/8/8/8/8/1R6/KR6 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . R . . . . . . 2
1 K R . . . . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

How to prevent it

Black plays h6 first. The pawn move opens an escape square, so the mate no longer works.

FEN: k7/7p/8/8/8/8/1R6/KR6 b - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . R . . . . . . 2
1 K R . . . . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • The two rooks work as a pair, and each rook takes away the squares the other rook does not cover.
  • The worked example ends with Ra2.
  • To prevent it, keep the king off the edge and do not let the rooks close the net together.
  • Black plays h6 first. The pawn move opens an escape square, so the mate no longer works.
  • Check every escape square before you play the mating move, because one open square breaks the mate.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

Find the checkmate in this position.