Back-rank mates is lesson 4 of 7 in Real-game tactics 2: Forks, pins and skewers, a tactics course suited to players rated around 800 (beginners). A king behind its own pawns can be mated on the back rank by a rook or a queen. It has 7 interactive exercises: 7 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
Black to move: mate in 2. (3 positions)
White to move: mate in 2. (4 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: mate in 2. 1...Rd1+ 2.Rxd1 Rxd1#. The king was trapped on the back rank behind its own pawns. Mate in 2.
Black to move: mate in 2. 1...Qf1+ 2.Rxf1 Rxf1#. The king was trapped on the back rank behind its own pawns. Mate in 2.
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