Day 110: Back-rank mate
Target rating: 742
Lesson of the day
The back-rank mate strikes a king locked behind its own unmoved pawns when a rook or queen crashes onto the last rank. The signs: no escape hole in front of the king, and the back rank guarded by a single piece or by nobody at all. Often that lone guard is deflected or traded off first, and only then comes the invasion. In your own games, make luft in time — one pawn move prevents a sudden catastrophe.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (c3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g4 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Back-rank mate in 2 on c1 (c8·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: deflection on d4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to e1 (e7·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: queen to d1 (c2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Back-rank mate in 2 on e8 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: pawn to g4 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to a3 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·34)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to b5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·68)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g3 (f2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·49)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g2 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 111 →