Day 134: Back-rank mate
Target rating: 780
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: bishop to b4 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (g5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to e3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: knight to a8 (b6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (e8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (e5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c5 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·40)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to d5 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (h4·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: pin on c8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Back-rank mate in 2 on c8 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 1: pin on e8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Back-rank mate in 3 on f7 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to b8 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·74)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·29)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f7 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·37)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·91)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to c6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (h2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 135 →