Back-rank mates

How to spot it

A back-rank mate happens when a king sits on its first rank behind its own unmoved pawns (for example Kg1 with pawns on f2, g2, h2) and an enemy rook or queen checks along that rank. The pawns that shelter the king also take away every flight square.

What to look for: an open file leading to the enemy back rank, and count the defenders of the entry square. If you attack it more times than it is defended, exchange or sacrifice your way in: the last capture is mate.

Luft (“air”) is an escape square made by a pawn move such as h3 or …h6. It only helps if the square is safe; a bishop, knight or queen that covers the luft square makes the back rank weak again.

Often the back rank is guarded by a single piece. Then deflect that guard: offer it something it must take, or exploit the fact that it cannot leave its post to defend anything else.

Puzzles

12 puzzles, rated 700 to 1750. A wrong move shows the engine’s refutation, and a missed puzzle comes back for review.