Day 216: Ladder mate
Target rating: 880
Lesson of the day
The ladder mate uses two heavy pieces climbing rung by rung: one cuts the king off along a line, the other checks on the next line, driving him toward the edge. It is the classic two-rook technique — check, the king retreats one rank, the other rook checks, until mate on the last rank. The only danger is the king creeping close enough to attack one of your rooks. If it does, simply slide that rook to the far side of the same line.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e8 (h5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·37)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (c2·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·47)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (a2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: king to h1 (h2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to f5 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to f7 (f8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: knight to g6 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: pawn to g7 (g6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to f5 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Fork: queen to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (h1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to a5 (d8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to a8 (a1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (f2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Fork: bishop to g5 (f6)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g1 (h2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to d2 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 217 →