Open in the app

Back-rank mate in 2 on a1 (a3)

li-01czg
Puzzle rating: 703Theme: Back rank: the king is trapped behind its own pawns — use that.
h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Black to move — find the best continuation

Solve in the app

The tactical motive

Back rank: the king is trapped behind its own pawns — use that.

Black to move — find the best continuation

Solution & explanation

Main line

29... Qa1+ 30. Rb1 Qxb1#

Why it works

  • Great move! queen to a1 keeps the pressure (#1).
  • Well found: queen to b1 (#).
  • The line ends in a forced mate in 2.
  • If instead Rb1, then Qxb1# and it is mate.

Similar puzzles

Free, no ads · Android 8.0+ · coming soon to Google Play

Embed

Copy this code to embed the board on your site: