Chess tactic

Back Rank Mate Puzzle (1592)

After the setup move Rxb7, it is White to move. Find the forcing continuation before checking the solution.

Position after Rxb7. White to move.

Puzzle ID

0fn0y

Rating

1592

Side to move

White

Themes

Back Rank Mate, Endgame, Fork

Material

Black is ahead by 5 points

FEN

7k/1r4pp/2p1Q1b1/2qp4/6P1/P7/7K/5R2 w - - 0 36

What to look for

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

36. Qc8+ 36... Be8 37. Qxe8+ 37... Qf8 38. Rxf8#

The full forcing line from the source position is:

35... Rxb7 36. Qc8+ 36... Be8 37. Qxe8+ 37... Qf8 38. Rxf8#