Week 3 answer key: Back-rank checkmate

Lesson plan · Worksheet · Answer key · 12-week syllabus

  1. ♚︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♙︎♙︎♙︎♖︎♔︎a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

    1. Ra8#

    Ra8#. The rook goes to the back row; the black pawns trap their king.

    Hint, if needed: Use your rook, with a check.

  2. ♜︎♚︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♙︎♙︎♙︎♔︎h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8

    2. Rd1#

    Rd1#. The same idea for Black: the white king is trapped behind its pawns.

    Hint, if needed: Use your rook, with a check.

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    3. Qc8#

    Qc8#. A queen can give back-rank mate too.

    Hint, if needed: Use your queen, with a check.

  4. ♚︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♛︎♙︎♙︎♙︎♔︎h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8

    4. Qa1# (also correct: Qb1#)

    Qa1#. The queen drops to the 1st row; f1 and h1 are covered and the pawns block the rest.

    Hint, if needed: Use your queen, with a check.

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    5. Rxe8#

    Rxe8#

    Hint, if needed: Use your rook, with a check.

  6. ♕︎♖︎♜︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♚︎♙︎♙︎♛︎♙︎♙︎♙︎♙︎♖︎♗︎♔︎h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8

    6. Qd1#

    Qd1#

    Hint, if needed: Use your queen, with a check.

Every answer is checked move by move with chess.js. ChessTeacher.org · Beginner course, week 3