The so-called back-row mate by the rook(or queen) is one of the most typical mating patterns.
Of the fairly large number of typical mates with queen and pawn this one is given first. Black is to move; he cannot escape mate, since he is threatened by 1. Qh6 and Qg7#. If he plays 1...Kh7, then 2. Qh4+ and Qh6, etc. If Black had a pawn on h7 he would have the defence 1...Kh8 2. Qh6 Rg8.
This is he position from the book(1512) by Damiano, a Portuguese apothecary, one of the first author in the literature of European chess. White mates in five moves. 1. Rh8+ Kxh8 2. Rh1+ Kg8 3. Rh8+ Kxh8 4. Qh1+ Kg8 5. Qh7#
The rook sacrifices were naturally introduced to make the essintial point clear: the queen must reach the h-file with gain of tempo.
The pattern of Damiano's mate can be seen more clearly in the following examples.
1. Qh5 Be7 2. Qh7+ Kf8 3. Qh8#
In this case a Bishop has been placed on f8 and also a pawn on d6, with the result that the Bishop can only move on e7, where it blocks the King's escape. The general theme of Damiano's mate, the pattern of which is characterized by a black pawn on g7 and a white pawn or bishop on g6, can be subjected to numerous variations
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