Mating motifs: Back rank mate

I would like to start the series with what is probably the best-known mating motif - the back rank mate. It occurs quite frequently in chess games and can decide the game. The basic idea is that you use a major piece - a rook or queen - to checkmate the opponent's king on his back rank with his own pieces - usually pawns - taking away his escape squares on the rank in front of him.

The back rank mate can be divided into five types:

Back rank mate 1 - Undefended back rank

This is the ideal back rank mate. Because of the undefended back rank you can easily mate your opponent.

Here are two more examples:

Back rank mate 2 - Doubling of major pieces

However, the back rank is usually defended. Several major pieces can help against this, whereby you exchange one for the defender and checkmate with the other one.

Here are two more examples:

Back rank mate 3 - Capturing the defending piece

Another possibility is to capture the defending piece so that you can checkmate the opponent ́s king.

Here are two more examples:

Back rank mate 4 - Deflection of the defender

Another option is to deflect the defender so that the back rank is no longer defended.

Here are two more examples:

Back rank mate 5 - Blocking the 7th rank

The last possibility is to force your opponent to block his 7th rank with one of his/her own pieces, so that the opponent takes away the king's last chance to escape and you can checkmate afterwards.

Here are two more examples:

I hope you could learn something new. You can practise the back rank mate in the section "Puzzle Themes" on Lichess. You can also replay the positions here.

Have fun and maybe see you soon in the next blog!

The Mathe-Ass