Day 240: Ladder mate
Target rating: 918
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: queen to b8 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (f5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to a3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (c2·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d4 (d1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c5 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to b8 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (g1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f3 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 1: rook to d7 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: knight to g5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: rook to b2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: rook to d1 (d5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g6·6)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to g5 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to f4 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to h5 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to d7 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Discovered attack: bishop to b4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to e5 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to e5 (e8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Discovered attack: bishop to h2 (d6)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: queen to c3 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 241 →