The BACK RANK... Watch it!

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Coach Sean vs Joe Schillinger 9/13/2009
WHITE TO PLAY & MATE IN TWO!
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If you take a rank and move it 90 degrees then you have a file - which you can use to good effect with your heavy pieces. In the Above problem Black to play and lose is what the actual situation was in the game but let us just say it is White to play and win now!

A Classic by one of my Students!
Nicole Mann vs Peter Schillinger 8/28/2009
BLACK TO PLAY & WIN - MATE in TWO!
USE THE POWER OF THE DIAGONAL FOR A LITTLE LEVERAGE!

Here Peter had spotted the weak back rank and went in for the win with fine move 22. ...Qe1 + and after 23. Rf1 it was Peter to play and win with....

WHITE TO PLAY - MATE in THREE!
A classic.

BLACK TURNS A TRICK INTO THE TRICK OF DISASTER!
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN - MATE in TWO!

MORPHY vs DUKE BRUNSWICK, Paris 1859
Timeless classic!
WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN - MATE ON THE MOVE!!

White has a nice material edge - but now it is time to close the show.
HOW TO USE THE BACK RANK?
WHITE TO PLAY & MATE IN TWO!

Enjoy - Coach Sean.