It's called the BACK RANK MATE.
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In this lesson you're going to learn about one of the deadilest weapons you can use in your quest
to kill the enemy King. It's called the BACK RANK MATE.
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One of the most important things you have to do in chess is DEFEND YOUR KING. The best way to do it is to set up a position like this. If you play soccer imagine that the KING is the GOAL. Around the goal you have some defenders - and for most of the game you should try to keep them near the King.
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And if the King is the GOAL, the Rook standing next to it is the GOALIE. As long as the goalie stays there the King's safe from attack from the back. But if he should move upfield to join in the attack you have to be careful...
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... if you're not very careful, this is what might happen. How can White score the winning goal in this position?  
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Here's the position - it's CHECKMATE - a BACK RANK MATE. You might imagine an ax coming down and chopping the King's head off. Remember this position. Engrave it on your mind so that you NEVER forget it!
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Really smart kids like you can learn to use this idea to play some really clever moves. Are you bright enough to tell me how White can force a quick CHECKMATE in this position?
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White fearlessly places the Queen where she can be captured - because next move it's CHECKMATE -
the Rook will take the Rook. There's nothing Black can do about it. If you got it right you've just played the most exciting move in chess - a QUEEN SACRIFICE!! You're also learning to THINK AHEAD - THE most important skill for any chess player.
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Can you find a really violent move that wins a piece?
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What a tremendous move! White's seen that if Black takes the Queen, next move the Rook will say CHECKMATE! You know what? If you got that one right you've got what it takes to be a REALLY good player!
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Just take a look at this position. White is winning easily. What would you advise him to do next?  Rb7xg7
 Rc1-c7 Offer a draw
 Resign
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White moved his Rook on c1 (the goalie!) up the board. And Black's Rook came down the board to deliver CHECKMATE in two moves. Oh Dear!!
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Here's a tip for you. If you've got a position like this on your board (with no Rook near the King) it should set the alarm bells ringing! Think "DANGER! BACK RANK MATE!" and, to be safe, move one of your pawns up to give your King an escape square.
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Try this position. Which Pawn should White move to stop the BACK RANK MATE? The f-pawn
The g-pawn The h-pawn
The frogspawn
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What would you call someone who played h2-h3 in this position? A really smart player A really dumb player
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Try to get used to these positions where a Bishop stops the King escaping. In this position White can get CHECKMATE at once because his Bishop CONTROLS h7.
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And in this position White can CHECKMATE at once because the White Bishop CONTROLS g7. Another piece of advice: if your opponent has a Bishop on the board, give your King an escape square on the opposite color from the enemy Bish. OK? And remember, always watch that BACK RANK!
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And now a special treat because you've been so good! We'll show you one of the most famous moves ever played! In this game, played in 1914, Black was José Raoul Capablanca, from Cuba. One of the greatest players of all time. Both players have to watch out for BACK RANK MATES in this position.
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Capablanca's just played the fantastic Qb6-b2. Look carefully at the position. First of all it's a QUEEN FORK (remember?), FORKING the White Queen and the White Rook. I'm now going to ask you some questions about this position. You might like to go and set it up on your chessboard now. Ready?
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Suppose White captured the Black Queen, giving this position. What should Black play now?
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That was easy, wasn't it? CHECKMATE! But the next questions will be harder.
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Now suppose White moves his Queen to e1 to defend his Rook. What would Black do here?
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A tremendous move!! But an idea you've seen earlier in the lesson. Black can CAPTURE the Rook because there's a BACK RANK MATE if the Queen takes back. Do you see it? Well done if you got it right!
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Now what happens if White plays the sneaky move Qe2-d3? Would it be a good idea for Black to take the Queen with his Rook? Yes No
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You're quite right. If he takes the Queen it's WHITE who gets a BACK RANK MATE. Instead he should play Qb2-a1+. White has nothing better than to move his Queen to f1, and then Black can safely CAPTURE the Rook.
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Which of these moves is best for Black now? Qb2-b1+ Qb2-a1+
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Take a look. White has to play his Queen to f1, and next move Black can take the Rook. OK?
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What would you suggest Black should do in this position? Take the Rook Take the Queen Play a check
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If you take the Queen White has a BACK RANK MATE. Taking the Rook sets a trap: If White takes the Queen he gets MATED but instead he can take the Rook back. The right thing to do is to CHECK (on either a1, b1 or c1). White's best move is Qe2-f1, but then White can EXCHANGE QUEENS and then CAPTURE the Rook.
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An optical illusion! White's a Queen ahead but it looks like he's getting mated. If he takes the Rook Black will take back with a BACK RANK MATE. But think again. White can also play Qe7-e1, which loses his Queen, but stops the mate and leaves him a Rook ahead thanks to the X-RAY DEFENSE from the Rook on a1.
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Congratulations!! You have now completed the QUEEN FORKS assignment.  
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