Chess tactic

Back Rank Mate Puzzle (1283)

After the setup move Nxf7, it is White to move. Find the forcing continuation before checking the solution.

Position after Nxf7. White to move.

Puzzle ID

0FAkv

Rating

1283

Side to move

White

Themes

Back Rank Mate, Mate, Mate in 4

Material

Black is ahead by 10 points

FEN

rnb2r1k/ppRpNnpp/1b6/4P1N1/8/8/Pq1BK1PP/5B1R w - - 0 16

What to look for

Exploit a king trapped behind its own pawns on the back rank.

16. Nxf7+ 16... Rxf7 17. Rxc8+ 17... Bd8 18. Rxd8+ 18... Rf8 19. Rxf8#

The full forcing line from the source position is:

15... Nxf7 16. Nxf7+ 16... Rxf7 17. Rxc8+ 17... Bd8 18. Rxd8+ 18... Rf8 19. Rxf8#