Back-rank mates in two is lesson 1 of 6 in Back-rank mates, a checkmate course suited to players rated around 900 (beginners). 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. It has 10 interactive exercises: 10 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. (4 positions)
White to move: mate in 2. (6 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: mate in 2. 1...Rb1+ 2.Nc1 Rxc1#. The rook mated on c1: the king was shut in on the back rank by its own pawns. Mate in 2.
White to move: mate in 2. 1.exf7+ Kf8 2.fxg8=Q#. The queen mated on g8: the king was shut in on the back rank by its own pawns. Mate in 2.
chessGM