Chess960 puzzles: Back-rank mate

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

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.

479 puzzles

Back-rank mate in 3 on a8

Shuffle Rating 602

Mate in 2: queen to h2

Shuffle Rating 603

Back-rank mate in 2 on e1

Shuffle Rating 604

Back-rank mate in 3 on g1

Shuffle Rating 606

Back-rank mate in 1 on d8

Shuffle Rating 612

Back-rank mate in 2 on a1

Shuffle Rating 612

Back-rank mate in 2 on e8

Shuffle Rating 616

Back-rank mate in 2 on d1

Shuffle Rating 617

Mate in 2: queen to a8

Shuffle Rating 617

Mate in 2: queen to c1

Shuffle Rating 617

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (a5)

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (g6)

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (g7)

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (d4)

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (b8)

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e5)

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e7)

Shuffle Rating 620

Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8

Shuffle Rating 620

Mates