Chess960 puzzles: Back rank

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

Frequent types in this theme

Back-rank mate

The king is locked behind its own pawns — a heavy piece strikes the last rank.

Only move

Everything else loses — find the only move that holds.

Mate in 2

A forced checkmate in two moves.

All themes Mate in 1: find the move after which the enemy king has no escape.Mate in 2: the first move creates an unstoppable threat, the second delivers mate.Mate in 3: a forced sequence that ends in checkmate.Fork: one piece attacks two targets at once — they can't both be saved.Pin: a piece can't move without exposing something more valuable behind it.Skewer: a valuable piece is forced to move, exposing the one behind it.Discovered attack: one piece steps aside, unleashing another's attack.Double attack: one move creates two threats at once.Deflection: force the defender to abandon its post.Hanging piece: your opponent left a piece undefended — take it.Back rank: the king is trapped behind its own pawns — use that.Trapped piece: an enemy piece has no safe squares — catch it.Save the piece: one of your pieces is attacked — find the best way to rescue it.Winning tactic: there is a move that gains a decisive advantage — find it.Mate: a forcing sequence that ends the game — the king has no escape.Mate in 4: a forced checkmate in four moves — every reply is covered.Castling 960: the strongest move is to castle — drag the king onto its rook.Uncastled king: the enemy king is stuck in the centre — punish it before it castles.A piece strikes across the board from its Chess960 starting square.An opening trap from this Chess960 starting position.A fork made possible by the Chess960 piece placement.Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.

134 puzzles

Back-rank mate in 3 on a8

Shuffle Rating 602 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on e1

Shuffle Rating 604 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 3 on g1

Shuffle Rating 606 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 1 on d8

Shuffle Rating 612 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on a1

Shuffle Rating 612 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on e8

Shuffle Rating 616 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on d1

Shuffle Rating 617 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d8)

Shuffle Rating 623 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d6)

Shuffle Rating 624 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d3)

Shuffle Rating 625 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d7)

Shuffle Rating 627 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 1 on d1

Shuffle Rating 639 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on c8

Shuffle Rating 640 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on a8

Shuffle Rating 651 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on d8

Shuffle Rating 652 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on e8 (e2)

Shuffle Rating 662 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 1 on a8

Shuffle Rating 663 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on e1 (e5)

Shuffle Rating 665 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on a1 (a8)

Shuffle Rating 669 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d4)

Shuffle Rating 682 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 1 on d8 (d4)

Shuffle Rating 683 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on b1

Shuffle Rating 684 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on e1 (e5·2)

Shuffle Rating 685 · Back rank

Back-rank mate in 2 on b1 (b2)

Shuffle Rating 689 · Back rank