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Basic Endgame Strategy

Basic Mates - King & Two Rooks v. King

This mate is probably the easiest to understand and visualize. Examine the board below:

Each White Rook controls an entire rank beneath the Black King: the White Rook on a1 controls the entire first rank, and the White Rook on h2 controls the entire second rank. Since a King may not move into check, the Black King on d3 cannot move any further towards the bottom of the board. By alternately moving each White Rook one rank further up the board and giving check to the Black King, the White Rooks force the Black King to move further and further up the board, until he is checkmated against the top of the board. Click here for a demonstration, with commentary.

Note of course that this mate can be performed in any direction (up, down, left, or right), and mate delivered against any side of the board. Also note that the White King is not needed to deliver mate.

Next: Basic Mates - King & Rook v. King