Chess tactic

Back Rank Mate Puzzle (864)

After the setup move Re6, it is White to move. Find the forcing continuation before checking the solution.

Position after Re6. White to move.

Puzzle ID

0C587

Rating

864

Side to move

White

Themes

Back Rank Mate, Mate, Mate in 3

Material

Black is ahead by 4 points

FEN

3r2k1/Rpp2ppp/4r3/3qp3/1B6/2P4b/5QP1/5R1K w - - 4 24

What to look for

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

24. Qxf7+ 24... Kh8 25. Qf8+ 25... Rxf8 26. Rxf8#

The full forcing line from the source position is:

23... Re6 24. Qxf7+ 24... Kh8 25. Qf8+ 25... Rxf8 26. Rxf8#