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Railroad Mate

Railroad mate uses two rooks on the same file, like rails, and the rooks trap the king on the edge together. 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. Railroad mate uses two rooks on the same file, like rails, and the rooks trap the king on the edge together.

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.