Day 169: Back-rank mate
Target rating: 820
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. Winning blow: pawn to d6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (e1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (g2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c2 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g2 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (h1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: queen to f3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Back-rank mate in 3 on d8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: deflection on e2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: rook to d8 (d1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Back-rank mate in 2 on d2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: rook to f2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h6 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (d2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to d6 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g5·6)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (b1·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (a1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to f8 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to g5 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 170 →