3 Opera mate

Back rank mate positions with Rook and Bishop: Pillsbury's / Morphy's Mate is shown upper right, while to the lower left is the Opera Mate.

In the second case, the threatened King does not need to be in the corner. With all four pieces translated further right, the result is still the same.

The name "Opera Mate" comes from a famous game played in 1858 at an opera house in Paris between the American chess master Paul Morphy and two strong amateurs, the German noble Duke Karl of Brunswick and the French aristocrat Count Isouard. This game is often used by instructors to demonstrate the importance of rapid development. Morphy reached the final position (mate on the back rank by a Rook supported by a Bishop) with a stylish Queen sacrifice.