Day 52: Back-rank mate
Target rating: 665
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: pawn to e6 (f5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: bishop to e8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b4 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Back-rank mate in 2 on b8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 1: rook to d8 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 1: rook to e8 (e1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: pawn to d3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (h5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to d3 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 53 →