← Basic Checkmates
Two rooks — the ladder
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Step 1 of 2
Two rooks mate the lone king with no help from your own king. One rook checks to push the king back a rank; the other holds the next rank so it can't return. Alternate — that's the ladder, or 'lawnmower'. If the king ever steps toward a rook, slide that rook far away along its rank and keep going.