Day 187: Supported queen mate
Target rating: 849
Lesson of the day
The supported queen mate is the most common pattern of all: the queen lands next to the king and mates because a friendly piece or pawn protects her. The king is helpless — capturing is impossible, and the queen covers every neighboring square herself. Hunt for a protected square beside the enemy king: a knight, bishop or pawn eyeing it turns her invasion into mate. Verify one thing — that the square really is defended, or the king eats her.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (h3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a3 (c1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (e1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b5 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to e6 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (h1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: bishop to a6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (h6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to h6 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: queen to g6 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to b1 (g6·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 1: bishop to f4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to f3 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h1 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to f7 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g4 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d7 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to e7 (d7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: knight to f5 (g3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 188 →