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Back-rank mate

A king trapped behind its own pawns, mated by a rook or queen.

Beginner · Checkmate patterns · 13 steps. On Chess Castles, Chess Guru reads each step aloud in English, Hindi or Marathi while the moves play on the board, and you can practise any position against the engine. With games of Gukesh D, Viswanathan Anand, Divya Deshmukh, Praggnanandhaa R, Humpy Koneru, Arjun Erigaisi.

Step 1

♚︎♜︎♚︎♟︎♟︎♜︎♟︎♜︎♟︎♜︎
The position

A king that stays behind its three pawns feels safe, but it has no escape square. A rook or queen that reaches the back rank can give checkmate. Strong players often make a little window for the king with a pawn move like h3 or h6.

Step 2

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The position

Gukesh D vs M Panelo, 14th Gijon Closed 2022. Gukesh from Chennai became the youngest undisputed World Champion in 2024, at just 18. Gukesh D plays White here. Look at the rook on h7: what can it do?

Step 3

♚︎♜︎♚︎♟︎♟︎♜︎♟︎♜︎♟︎♜︎
The position before the moves

Moves: 54.Rh8#

Gukesh D plays the rook to h8 on the back rank. Checkmate!

From the game Gukesh D – M Panelo, 14th Gijon Closed 2022 .

Step 4

♚︎♞︎♚︎♝︎♜︎♟︎♜︎♟︎
The position

Viswanathan Anand vs David W L Howell, 6. LCC Super Rapidplay Open 2014, London. Viswanathan Anand became India's first grandmaster in 1988 and was World Champion five times. Viswanathan Anand plays White here. Look at the rook on g5: what can it do?

Step 5

♚︎♞︎♚︎♝︎♜︎♟︎♜︎♟︎
The position before the moves

Moves: 69.Rg8#

Viswanathan Anand plays the rook to g8 on the back rank. Checkmate!

From the game Viswanathan Anand – David W L Howell, 6. LCC Super Rapidplay Open 2014, London .

Step 6

♚︎♜︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♚︎♟︎♜︎
The position

Divya Deshmukh vs V Pranav, 4th IIFL Wealth Mumbai Op 2019. Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur won the FIDE Women's World Cup in 2025, at 19, and became a grandmaster. Divya Deshmukh plays White here. Look at the rook on e1: what can it do?

Step 7

♚︎♜︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♚︎♟︎♜︎
The position before the moves

Moves: 61.Re8#

Divya Deshmukh plays the rook to e8 on the back rank. Checkmate!

From the game Divya Deshmukh – V Pranav, 4th IIFL Wealth Mumbai Op 2019.

Step 8

♚︎♛︎♜︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♚︎♝︎
The position

Parham Maghsoodloo vs Praggnanandhaa R, chess.com Junior Speed 2020. Praggnanandhaa from Chennai became a grandmaster at 12 and reached the World Cup final in 2023. Praggnanandhaa R plays Black here. Look at the rook on b3: what can it do?

Step 9

♚︎♛︎♜︎♟︎♟︎♟︎♚︎♝︎
The position before the moves

Moves: 57...Rb1#

Praggnanandhaa R plays the rook to b1 on the back rank. Checkmate!

Step 10

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The position

Kateryna Lagno vs Humpy Koneru, SportAccord Basque Women 2013, Beijing. Humpy Koneru is one of India's greatest players and twice Women's World Rapid Champion. Humpy Koneru plays Black here. Look at the rook on d5: what can it do?

Step 11

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The position before the moves

Moves: 76...Rd1#

Humpy Koneru plays the rook to d1 on the back rank. Checkmate!

Step 12

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The position

Arjun Erigaisi vs Jorden Van Foreest, Titled Tuesday (online) 2023. Arjun Erigaisi from Warangal became only the second Indian, after Anand, to cross a 2800 rating. Arjun Erigaisi plays White here. Look at the rook on d5: what can it do?

Step 13

♚︎♝︎♚︎♜︎♜︎
The position before the moves

Moves: 87.Rd8#

Arjun Erigaisi plays the rook to d8 on the back rank. Checkmate!

From the game Arjun Erigaisi – Jorden Van Foreest, Titled Tuesday (online) 2023.

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