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Back-Rank Mate

Back-rank mate is a rook or queen mate on the back rank, where the king's own pawns block the escape squares on the rank in front. The rook on the back rank attacks the whole rank, and the king's own pawns fill the escape squares.

The finished shape

This is the finished shape. Back-rank mate is a rook or queen mate on the back rank, where the king's own pawns block the escape squares on the rank in front.

FEN: 1k5R/ppp5/8/8/8/8/8/2K5 b - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . k . . . . . R 8
7 p p p . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . K . . . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

The worked example

White plays the mating move here. The rook on the back rank attacks the whole rank, and the king's own pawns fill the escape squares.

FEN: 1k5r/ppp5/8/8/8/8/8/2K4R w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . k . . . . . r 8
7 p p p . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . K . . . . R 1
  a b c d e f g h

How to prevent it

Black plays c6 first. The pawn move opens an escape square, so the mate no longer works.

FEN: 1k5r/ppp5/8/8/8/8/8/2K4R b - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . k . . . . . r 8
7 p p p . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . K . . . . R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • The rook on the back rank attacks the whole rank, and the king's own pawns fill the escape squares.
  • The worked example ends with Rxh8.
  • To prevent it, keep an escape square open for the king before the rook arrives.
  • Black plays c6 first. The pawn move opens an escape square, so the mate no longer works.
  • Check every escape square before you play the mating move, because one open square breaks the mate.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

Find the checkmate in this position.