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Beginner · Back-rank mate
A short chess exercise to explore at your own pace. Try your move, ask for a hint, then read why the idea works.
Back-rank mate
White to move. Find checkmate in one move.
Select a piece, then its destination. You can drag, or use the arrow keys and Enter. Black’s reply is supplied in exercises with more than one move.
Re8#
A check is mate only when every legal reply fails. Count the escapes before you announce it.
Re8# puts the black king in check along the eighth rank. The rook has a clear route up the e-file, and the f8 square between the rook and king is empty. Before moving, trace that entire line rather than assuming a rook can pass through another piece.
Now check the king’s possible replies. The rook covers f8 and h8. Black’s own pawns occupy f7, g7 and h7, so the king cannot move down a rank. There is no piece available to capture the rook or block its line. Those three checks explain the mate: capture the checking piece, block the check, or move the king.
A pawn shield can protect a king while also taking away its escape squares. In a real game, notice whether your back rank needs a defender or an escape square. Moving a pawn automatically is not always the answer: look at the whole position and your opponent’s threats before changing the king’s shelter.
Take it into your next game: A check is mate only when every legal reply fails. Count the escapes before you announce it.
Published · By Signa Chess Academy
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