Day 159: Skewer
Target rating: 804
Lesson of the day
A skewer is a pin turned inside out: the valuable piece stands in front and something cheaper hides behind it. The big piece must step aside, and you collect the one that was sheltering in its shadow. Scan for the enemy king or queen sharing a file, rank or diagonal with another enemy piece. The deadliest version comes with check — the king moves, the rook behind it dies.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h6 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to a8 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (a1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (a2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f3 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (a3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f2 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h8 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b4 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a8 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to a8 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to a8 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a1 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (c7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to g1 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (a1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (e2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (h1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 160 →