Day 33: Back-rank mate
Target rating: 651
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 c7 (f4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6 (h4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a8 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (e5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (g1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to d8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 1: queen to e1 (a5·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Back-rank mate in 2 on g8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Back-rank mate in 2 on b1 (f5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to h7 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (a8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g5·5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 1: rook to g8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to c8 (c7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: rook to a1 (a8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 1: rook to e8 (e1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Fork: knight to e1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Fork: knight to g4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Fork: knight to e7 (c6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (f5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 34 →