Chess tactic

Back Rank Mate Puzzle (1772)

After the setup move Re8, it is White to move. Find the forcing continuation before checking the solution.

Position after Re8. White to move.

Puzzle ID

0RrTi

Rating

1772

Side to move

White

Themes

Back Rank Mate, Mate, Mate in 5

Material

Black is ahead by 5 points

FEN

4rk1r/1pR1nppp/1p2p3/3pP3/1Q6/8/1B3PPP/1q2N1K1 w - - 10 22

What to look for

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

22. Qxe7+ 22... Rxe7 23. Rc8+ 23... Re8 24. Ba3+ 24... Qb4 25. Bxb4+ 25... Kg8 26. Rxe8#

The full forcing line from the source position is:

21... Re8 22. Qxe7+ 22... Rxe7 23. Rc8+ 23... Re8 24. Ba3+ 24... Qb4 25. Bxb4+ 25... Kg8 26. Rxe8#