Day 201: Skewer
Target rating: 856
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: pawn to h3 (g2·30)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c8 (c1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: pawn to f6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (e1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (d4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to d5 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to c8 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d1·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to c8 (a8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to g5 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to a8 (a1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Fork: knight to c3 (e4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g8 (b3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to c6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to c3 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b1·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to c6 (c5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Fork: queen to d8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 202 →