Chess tactic

Back Rank Mate Puzzle (1630)

After the setup move d7, it is Black to move. Find the forcing continuation before checking the solution.

Position after d7. Black to move.

Puzzle ID

0gS1Q

Rating

1630

Side to move

Black

Themes

Back Rank Mate, Fork, Mate

Material

White is ahead by 1 point

FEN

r3r1k1/ppQP1p1p/6p1/8/5P2/2N2R2/PPqb2PP/3R3K b - - 0 27

What to look for

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

27... Qxd1+ 28. Nxd1 28... Re1+ 29. Rf1 29... Rxf1#

The full forcing line from the source position is:

27. d7 27... Qxd1+ 28. Nxd1 28... Re1+ 29. Rf1 29... Rxf1#