The Ladder

Part of the Checkmate Patterns I section of Coddy's Tactics & Checkmates journey. Lesson 26 of 40.

Two rooks mate a bare king with no help at all. One rook is the fence: it owns the rank beside him, so he can never cross it. The other checks the rank he is standing on. He steps back, the rooks swap jobs, and the ladder climbs to the edge.

Try it yourselfBeginner

Position 1 of 7

WatchWatch two rooks walk a king to the edge.

The starting position.

0 / 7

All 7 positions

All lessons in Checkmate Patterns I

1The Back Rank

The Sealed King Who Guards the Door?False Luft Puzzles: Back Rank 1 Recap: The Back Rank

4The Smothered Mate

The Cage He Built Slam the Last Door Philidor's Legacy Puzzles: Smothered Mates Recap: The Smothered Mate

7Mate in One Gauntlet

Gauntlet: Mate in One 1 Gauntlet: Mate in One 2 Gauntlet: Mate in One 3 Gauntlet: Mate in One 4 Gauntlet: Mate in One 5

2Back Rank II

The Block The Supported Door The Overworked Guard Puzzles: Back Rank 2 Recap: Back Rank II

5Hook and Anastasia

Anastasia's Mate The Hook Mate Pull Him onto the File Puzzles: Hook and Anastasia Recap: Hook and Anastasia

8Mate in Two Gauntlet

Gauntlet: Mate in Two 1 Gauntlet: Mate in Two 2 Gauntlet: Mate in Two 3 Gauntlet: Mate in Two 4 Gauntlet: Mate in Two 5

3The Support Mate

Queen on the Doorstep Every Kind of Backer Building the Support Puzzles: Support Mates Recap: The Support Mate

6Ladder and Rook Roller

The LadderThe Seventh and the Eighth The Ladder on Its Side Puzzles: The Rook Roller Recap: Ladder and Roller