Day 40: Back-rank mate
Lesson of the day
The back-rank mate strikes a king locked behind its own unmoved pawns when a rook or queen crashes onto the last rank. The signs: no escape hole in front of the king, and the back rank guarded by a single piece or by nobody at all. Often that lone guard is deflected or traded off first, and only then comes the invasion. In your own games, make luft in time — one pawn move prevents a sudden catastrophe.
Warm-up
Black to move — find the best continuation
Black to move — find the best continuation
Black to move — find the best continuation
Black to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
Black to move — find the best continuation
Core set
White to move — find the best continuation
Black to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
Black to move — find the best continuation
Black to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
Black to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
Review
Black to move — find the best continuation
White to move — find the best continuation
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
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