Day 129: Back-rank mate
Target rating: 772
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: queen to c4 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (h4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h1 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·28)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·32)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (h4·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Back-rank mate in 3 on f2 (f7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Back-rank mate in 3 on f2 (a7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Back-rank mate in 3 on f2 (c2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Back-rank mate in 3 on f7 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Back-rank mate in 3 on c7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (e5·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·86)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e7 (d6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·26)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: king to b2 (c1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 130 →