The king shut in behind its own pawns: drive off or exchange its guards with checks and sacrifices, then mate it on the back rank. This is a checkmate course with 6 lessons and 60 interactive exercises, suited to players rated around 900 (beginners). Every exercise is played on a real board with feedback after each move, there is nothing to install, and it is free.
Lessons in Back-rank mates
Back-rank mates in two – Often the back rank is guarded once. Drive off or exchange the guard with a check or a sacrifice, then mate on the back rank.
Back-rank mates in two, part 2 – Often the back rank is guarded once. Drive off or exchange the guard with a check or a sacrifice, then mate on the back rank. More positions, a little harder.
Back-rank mates in two, part 3 – Often the back rank is guarded once. Drive off or exchange the guard with a check or a sacrifice, then mate on the back rank. More positions, a little harder.
Back-rank mates in two, part 4 – Often the back rank is guarded once. Drive off or exchange the guard with a check or a sacrifice, then mate on the back rank. More positions, a little harder.
Back-rank mates in two, part 5 – Often the back rank is guarded once. Drive off or exchange the guard with a check or a sacrifice, then mate on the back rank. More positions, a little harder.
Longer back-rank combinations – Several pieces can guard the back rank. Keep checking along it, exchange the defenders one by one, and the last check is mate.
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