© Marc Leski, Academic Chess 1995

Back Rank Mates.

The ultimate goal in chess is to deliver Checkmate. We will study some typical mating attacks on the 1st & 8th rows.

cuuuuuuuuC #1a Black to move.

(wdw4wdkd} He can't resist the double attack and checks White.
7dwdwdp0p} 1...¼d1+?!
Note that White can hide his ¾ on the square h2. This escape
6wdndwdwd} square is called a 'flight square' .
2.¾h2
5dwdwdwdw} Black should provide some breathing room to his ¾ with 2...h6!
&wdwdwdwd} but instead greedily captures the º.
2...¼xc1??
3dwdw$wdP} Black falls for a Back Rank Mate.
2wdwdw)Pd}
%dwGwdwIw}
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC
(wdwdwdkd} #1b (After 2...¼xc1??) White to move.
3 conditions have to be met for the back row tactic to be successful:
7dwdwdp0p} ¥ The ¾ is exposed to an attack by a ¼ (½) on the 8th (1st) rank.
6wdndwdwd} ¥ The ¾ has no flight square on the 7th (2nd) row.
¥ The ¾ has no defenders.
5dwdwdwdw} All conditions are met so White mates with ....
&wdwdwdwd} 3.¼e8#!
Back row mate!
3dwdw$wdP}
2wdwdw)PI}
%dw4wdwdw}
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC #2. White to move.
(wdqdwdkd} White's ½ is attacked and Black also treatens a Back Rank Mate. White turns
the tables with a cute tactic. White notices that the Black ½ is overloaded:
7dwdwdp0p} she defends the back row AND the Black ¼. White exploits the overload
6wdr!wdwd} with a back rank combination.
1.½xc6!! ½xc6?
5dwdwdwdw} Black should not take the ½.
&wdwdwdwd} 2.¼b8+! ½e8 3.¼xe8#!
1-0
3dwdwdwdw}
2w$wdw)P)}
%dwdwdwIw}
v,./9EFJMV

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 © Marc Leski, Academic Chess 1995

cuuuuuuuuC #3 Black to move.

(wdw4wdwi} White's 1st rank is poorly guarded, but the invasion square d1 is firmly
controlled by White. Black understands that White's ½b3 and ¼b1 guard d1.
7dw$wdp0w} Black destroys White's defensive setup with ...
6wdwdwdw0} 1...¼b2!!
Black wins material or mates. The ½ is under attack but the ¼ is 'taboo', e.g.
5dwdwdwdw} 2.¼xb2? ½d1+ 3.Qxd1 ¼xd1#
&wdwdwdwd} White gets mated after 2.Rxb2? Let's return to the position after ...¼b2!!
White does not fare any better with 2.½xb2? for the same reason:
3dQdwdwdw} 2.½xb2? ½d1+!
More elegant that 2...¼d1+
2rdwdq)P)} 3.¼xd1 ¼xd1#
%dRdwdwdK} 0-1
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC #4a Black to move.
(rdwdw4kd} Black plays the simple capture....
7dpdRdw0p} 1...exf3!
White should play 2.¼xf3! with excellent drawing chances because
6wgwdwdwd} of the advanced ¹s on the ½side, but oblivious to the danger
on his Back Row, White plays the naive capture ...
5dw)wdwdw} 2.cxb6??
&w)wdpdwd}
3dwdwdNdw}
2wdwdwdP)}
%dwdwdRIw}
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC #4b (After 2.cxb6??) Black to move.
(rdwdw4kd} Black finds a pretty way to invade White's 1st row.
2...f2+!
7dpdRdw0p} White can't capture the ¹ e.g. 3.¼xf2?? ¼a1+
6w)wdwdwd} when White can only delay the inevitable.back row mate
4.¼d1 ¼xd1+ 5.¼f1 ¼dxf1#
5dwdwdwdw} 3.¾h1!
&w)wdwdwd} The ¹ is firmly blockaded on f2 or so White believes.

3dwdwdpdw}
2wdwdwdP)}
%dwdwdRIw}
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC #4c (After 3.¾h1!) Black to move.
(rdwdw4kd} It would appear that White is completely safe
3...¼a1!!
7dpdRdw0p} Not so, this Promotion tric underlines White's shaky control of the 1st rank.
6w)wdwdwd} 4.¼7d1!
White realizes too late the weakness of the 1st row, he would be mated one
5dwdwdwdw} move sooner with 4.¼xa1?? f1/½+
&w)wdwdwd} 4...¼xd1! 5.¼xd1 f1/¼+!?
The ¼ works fine for back row mates!
3dwdwdwdw} 6.¼xf1 ¼xf1#
Ù
2wdwdw0P)}
%dwdwdRdK}
v,./9EFJMV

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 © Marc Leski, Academic Chess 1995

cuuuuuuuuC #5 Black to move.

(wdwdw4kd} White's initiative on the ½side looks dangerous but the weakness of the 1st rank allows Black
to turn the tables.
7dw0wdwgp} 1...ºh6!! The control of f2 gives access to f1! e.g 2.ºxh6? ½f2+! 3.¾h1 ½f1+! 4.¼xf1 ¼xf1#
6p0w0wdpd} The poor ºe3 has no safe retrat so White defends it ....
2.¼e1 ¼f1+!!
5dw)P0wdw} Black wins also with the prosaic 2...ºxe3+ 3.½xe3 ¼f1+ but the text is flashier!
&w)wdPdwd} 3.¼xf1 Bxe3+
White must give up the ½ or get mated.
3)w!wGwdw} 4.½xe3! ½xe3+ 5.¾h1 ½xe4
Ù
2wdwdqdP)}
%dw$wdwIw}
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC #6 White to move.
(wdwdr4kd} Both ½s are 'en prise' (French, litterally 'in take').
70pdwdp0p} 1.½xe8!
After 1...¼xe8 Black's own ½ is hung.
6wdndwdwd} 1...½xh5??
Black can't imagine that his Back Row is weak but White's
5dwdNdwdR} next move brings him back to reality!
&wdwdwdw1} 2.»e7+!!
White clears the d-file for his ¼ and obstructs the flight square e7.
3dwdwdwdw} 2...»xe7
2P)wdQdP)} Black must take since 2...¾h8?? allows 3.½xf8#
3.½xf8+!! ½xf8 4.¼d8#
%dwdRdwdK} Ø
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC #7a White to move.
(wiw4wdwd} Eager to show his knowledge on back row mates, White falls for a very subtle trap.
1.½d4?? White attacks both ¼s and the ¹h4, he only expects some mistakes by Black, e.g.
70p0wdw4w} 1...¼xd4?? 2.¼e8+ ¼d8 3.¼xd8# or
6wdwdwdwd} 1...¼gd7?? 2.½xd7! ¼xd7 3.¼e8+ ¼d8 4.¼xd8# or
1....¼dg8?? 2.½xg7 ¼xg7 3.¼e8#
5dwdwdwdw} White expects Black to defend passively and cover the back rank with
&wdwdwdw0} 1...¼7g8? when White wins a ¹ with 2.½xh4
White realized correctly that Black needed to cover the 8th rank, but what White missed is
3dwdw!wdw} that Black has a much better way than 1...¼7g8? An active defense grants him control of e8.
2wdqdw)P)}
%dRdw$wIw}
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC #7b Black to move (After 1.½d4??)
(wiw4wdwd} 1...¼xg2+!!
White's 1.½d4?? is based on the fact that the ¼d8 is tied down to the defense
70p0wdw4w} of the invasion square e8. The ¼ sacrifice is designed to allow the Black ½
6wdwdwdwd} to take control of the invasion square e8 with tempo e.g.
2.¾xg2?? ½g6+!
5dwdwdwdw} From g6 the Black ½ checks AND stops the White ¼ from penetrating on e8.
&wdw!wdw0} 3.¾f1 ¼xd4!
Since e8 is covered, Black can safely capture the ½.
3dwdwdwdw} Black wins.
2wdqdw)P)}
%dRdw$wIw}
v,./9EFJMV

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 © Marc Leski, Academic Chess 1995

cuuuuuuuuC
(wiw4wdwd} #7c Black to move (After 1...¼xg2+!!)
White could do better than 2.¾xg2?? , lets go back to this critical position.
70p0wdwdw} White can try 2 other moves: 2.Kf1? and 2.Kh1! Let's study them in order:
6wdwdwdwd} if 2.¾f1? ¼g1+!!
Black wants to check on g6 with the ½
5dwdwdwdw} 3.¾xg1 ½g6+!
&wdw!wdw0} Black captures the ½ next with 4...¼xd4(!)
so 2.¾f1? doesn't work either.
3dwdwdwdw}
2wdqdw)r)}
%dRdw$wIw}
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC
(wiw4wdwd} #7d Black to move (After 2.¾h1! )
Let's see White's most resilient attempt.
70p0wdwdw} 2.¾h1! ¼g1+!!
6wdwdwdwd} This thematic ¼ sacrifice creates an invisible tie between Black's back row
and the White ¾.
5dwdwdwdw} 3.¼xg1! Of course 3.¾xg1?? loses to 3...Qg6+!
&wdw!wdw0} 3...½c6+! 3...¼xd4 loses to the ritual 4.¼g8+
4.f3 Just a delaying move.
3dwdwdwdw} 4...½xf3+ White has to walk into a Pin
5.¼g2
2wdqdw)r)} Finally, Black can safely capture the ½.
%dRdw$wdK} 5...¼xd4 White resigns.
Ù
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC #8a White to move.
(b4wdwdkd} In this late middlegame White is the exchange up (difference between a ¼ and a Minor
7dwdw!p0p} Piece). Black's back rank is weak but the invasion square e8 is well guarded by Black's ½
and ¼.
6wdwdwdwd} Let's first consider 1.¼a5??
Not a true sacrifice since 1...½xa5?? loses to ½e8+! ¼xe8 3.¼xe8#
5dw$wdwdw} Black can do much better with 1...½c6!
&qdwdwdwd} A perfect example of active defense. Black defends e8 and threatens mate along the white
squared diagonal a8-h1 on g2 or h1.
3dwdwdw)w} 2.¼a6?? White should take on a8 instead.
2wdwdw)w)} 2...½g2#Ù
Let's go back to the position before 1.¼a5?? and see the correct continuation of the attack.
%dwdw$wIw} White has to find some way to deflect those pieces away from the defense of the square e8.
v,./9EFJMV

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 © Marc Leski, Academic Chess 1995

cuuuuuuuuC
(b4wdwdkd} #8b White to move.
1.¼c4!! White attacks the Black ½ AND prevents the counter-attack
7dwdw!p0p} 1...½c6 at the same time. Of course 1...½xc4?? is impossible: 2.½e8+! ¼xe8
6wdwdwdwd} 3.¼xe8#
1...½b5!
5dw$wdwdw} Black has no other safe square for the ½ to defend e8.
&qdwdwdwd} 2.¼b4!!
The final deflection.
3dwdwdw)w} 2...Qxb4 What else? Black also hopes for the automatic 3.½e8+??¼xe8
4.¼xe8+ ½f8! 5.¼xf8+ ¾xf8 A º up, Black wins. Of course White has a
2wdwdw)w)} much better move than 3.½e8+??
%dwdw$wIw} 3.½xb4! ¼xb4?? Black should not take the ½. 4.¼e8# 1-0
v,./9EFJMV

uuuuuuuuC #9. Black to move.

(wdrdw4kd} Black's initial move weakens White's control of the 1st row. 1...ºxf3!
White can't recapture with the Pawn because of a ½ Á! e.g. 2.gxf3?? ¼xc1+!
70wdw$pgp} 3.¼xc1 ½g5+! 2.½xf3 The back rank appears to be correctly defended but
6w0wdwdpd} Black's next move points out the problem.
2...½xa2!! Black wants to invade on c1! For example 3.¼xa2?? fails ¼xc1+
5dwdqdwdw} 4.½d1 ¼xd1+ 5.¼e1 ¼xe1# 3.¼xa7?? loses for the same reason e.g. 3...½xa7
&wdwdwdbd} 4.¼xa7 ¼xc1+ White tries an other move to save the ¼a1
3.½a3 ½xa3!
3dwdwdNdw} The Pin on the b-Pawn pays off.
4.bxa3 ºxa1!
2P)wdQ)P)} A ¼ down White resigns.
%$wGwdwIw} Ù
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC #10a White to move.
(wdrdrdkd} Let's watch some fireworks to conclude this lesson on the Back Row Mates!
White to move. Black's ¼ e8 is defended by the ½ d7 and the
7dpdqdp0p} ¼c8.
6wdwdwgwd} White initiates some spectacular series of deflection sacrifices with
a ½ offer.
50wdPdwdw} 1.½g4!!
&wdw!wdwd} Of course the ½ can't be captured because of the Back Rank Mate.
1...½b5!
3dwdwdNdw} The only available way to keep on defending the ¼ e8.
Note that Black threatens a counter-attack against White's own back row!
2P)wdR)P)} For example on the natural ¹ attack 2.a4?? Black turns the tables!
%dwdw$wIw} 2.a4?? ½xe2! 3.¼xe2 ¼c1+ 4.»e1 ¼xe1+! 5.¼xe1 ¼xe1#
White can do much better than 2.a4??
v,./9EFJMV

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 © Marc Leski, Academic Chess 1995

cuuuuuuuuC #10b (After 1...½b5!) White to move

(wdrdrdkd} White can stop 2...½xe2 and threaten Black's defensive setup with
a new ½ sacrifice!
7dpdwdp0p} 2.½c4!!
6wdwdwgwd} Note that the White ½ is immune on c4.
2...½d7!
50qdPdwdw} Black hangs in there!
&wdwdwdQd}
3dwdwdNdw}
2P)wdR)P)}
%dwdw$wIw}
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC
(wdrdrdkd} #10c (After 2...½d7!) White to move
3.½c7!!
7dpdqdp0p} The third ½ offer.
6wdwdwgwd} 3...½b5!
Black is ready to meet 4.½xb7?? with ½xe2!
50wdPdwdw} 4.a4!
&wdQdwdwd} The ½ hunt goes on! Black must take the Pawn since the capture
4...½xe2?? leads nowhere e.g. 5.¼xe2 when Black still has an annoying back
3dwdwdNdw} rank pain! So let's returnto the position after 4.a4!
2P)wdR)P)}
%dwdw$wIw}
v,./9EFJMV
cuuuuuuuuC
(wdrdrdkd} #10d (After 4...½xa4!) White to move
Black's only way to stay in contact with e8.
7dp!wdp0p} 5.¼e4!!
6wdwdwgwd} Black's main weapon in the preceding variations was the counter sacrifice
...½xe2, so White vacates e2 with gain of time! Black has no time
50wdPdwdw} to give 'luft' (German for 'air') to the ¾ing e.g. 5...h6?? 6.½xc8! ¼xc8 7.¼xa4
&qdwdwdwd} When White is a ¼ up.Black must retreat with the ½ again.
5...½b5! 6.½xb7!!
3dwdwdNdw} By this, the fourth offer of the ½, her rival is denied access
to all the intercepting squares (d7, c6, b5, a4).
2w)wdR)P)} Black resigns.
%dwdw$wIw} Ù
v,./9EFJMV
Test on back rank mates.
cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC
(wdw4wdkd} (wdwdwdkd} (qdrdwdkd}
7dwdwdp0p} 7dwdwdp0w} 7dwdwdpdp}
6wdwdwdwd} 6pdwdwdw0} 6wdw)w!pd}
5dwdwdwdw} 5dpdwdwdw} 5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd} &wdwdwdwd} &wdwdwdwd}
3dwdw$wdw} 3dwdwdwdw} 3dwdwdwdw}
2wdwdw)P)} 2P)PdrdP)} 2wGwdw)P)}
%dwdwdwKw} %dwIRdwdw} %dwdwdwIw}
v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV

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 © Marc Leski, Academic Chess 1995

#1 Can Black mate? (Y/N) #2. Can White mate? (Y/N) #3. Can Black mate (Y?N)

cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC

(wiwdwdwd} (wdwdrdkd} (wdw4wdkd}
70p0qdwdp} 7dwdwdp0p} 70wdwdp0p}
6wdw0w4wd} 6wdwdwdwd} 6wdwdwdwd}
5dwdwdwdw} 5!wdwdwdw} 5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd} &wdrdwdwd} &qdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdw!w} 3dwdwdwdw} 3dwdwdw!w}
2P)Pdwdw)} 2wdwdq)P)} 2P)w0w)P)}
%dKdw$wdw} %GRdwdwIw} %dwdRdwIw}
v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV
#4. White to move. #5 Black to move. #6 White to move.
(A) 1.½g8+ (B) 1.½g7 (C) 1.¼e7 (A) 1...¼a4 (B) 1...¼c5 Can White play 1.¼xd2 safely? (Y/N)

cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC

(wdwdwdkd} (wdwdrdkd} (wdw4wdkd}
7dwdwdp0p} 70wdwdp0p} 7dwdwdp0p}
6qdwdwdwd} 6wdwdwdwd} 6Qdwdwdwd}
5dwdw!wdw} 51wdwdwdw} 5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd} &wdwdwdwd} &wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwdw} 3dwdQdwdw} 3dwdwdwdw}
2Pdwdw)P)} 2P)wdp)P)} 2wdwdN)P)}
%dr$r$wdK} %dwdw$wIw} %dwdqdRIw}
v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV
#7. Black to move. #8. White to move. #9. Black to move
(A) 1...¼xe1+ (B) 1...¼dxc1 Can White play 1.¼xe2 safely? (Y/N) Can Black force Checkmate? (Y/N)
(C) 1...¼bxc1 (D) 1....½f1+

Exercises on back rank mates.

--------------

7
 © Marc Leski, Academic Chess 1995

cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC

(wdwdwdkd} (wdwgw4kd} (wdr4wdkd}
7dwdrdp0p} 7dwdwdr0w} 7dqdwdp0p}
6wdwdwdwd} 6pdw0Qdw0} 6wdwdwdwd}
5dwdwdwdw} 5dp1N0wdw} 5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd} &wdwdPdP)} &wdwdwdwd}
3dwdwdwdw} 3dwdwdwdw} 3dwdwdwdw}
2wdwdw)P)} 2P)Pdwdwd} 2wdwdR)P)}
%$wdwdwIw} %dKdwdRdR} %dwdQ$wIw}
v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV
#1. White wins. #2. Black wins. #3. White wins

cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC

(wdw4wdkd} (r4wdwdkd} (rdbdwdkd}
70wdwdp0p} 7$w!wdp0p} 70pdwdp0p}
6w1wdwdwd} 6wdwdw1wd} 6wdwdw1wd}
5dwdwdwdw} 5dwdwdwdw} 5dwdwdwdw}
&wdwdwdwd} &wdwdwdwd} &wdw!wdwd}
3dw$w)wdw} 3dwdwdwdw} 3dwdwdw)w}
2PdwdQ)P)} 2wdwdw)P)} 2wdwdr)B)}
%dwdwdwIw} %dwdwdRIw} %dw$wdRIw}
v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV
#4. Black wins. #5. White wins. #6. White wins.

cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC cuuuuuuuuC

(wdrdwdkd} (wdwdrdkd} (wdrdrdkd}
7dwdw!w0p} 7drdwdp0p} 7dp!wdp0p}
6pdqdbdwd} 6wdwdwdwd} 6wdwdwgwd}
5dpdw0wdw} 5dwdwdwdw} 50qdPdwdw}
&wdp0Pdwd} &pdwdQdwd} &wdwdRdwd}
3)PdPdw)w} 3dwdwdwdw} 3dwdwdwdw}
2wdPdwdB)} 2P)Pdw1w)} 2w)wdw)P)}
%dwdwdRIw} %dKdRdwdR} %dwdw$wIw}
v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV v,./9EFJMV
#7. White wins. #8. Black wins the ½. #9. White wins.