Day 180: Skewer
Target rating: 838
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: knight to e3 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (e1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a1 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a4 (c3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (e2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: knight to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to d6 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to g8 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a8 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (a1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c3 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·30)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: knight to a7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to d4 (g1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: rook to h8 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: pawn to b3 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to a8 (a7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·44)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 181 →