Day 223: Skewer
Target rating: 891
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: bishop to a8 (h1·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a6 (f1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (g4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (c2·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to e8 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e3 (d2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b2 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (c3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to f4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (f1·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Skewer: rook to h7 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Skewer: rook to h6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to f5 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a5 (b4·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to e4 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to f1 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to f1 (d3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to c4 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g8 (b3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to e4 (d3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Fork: rook to g3 (h3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 224 →