Day 247: Skewer
Target rating: 920
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. Winning blow: pawn to d3 (c2·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a5 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h5 (g4·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (f3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e3 (f2·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Skewer: rook to c8 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Skewer: rook to h4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Skewer: rook to g2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Skewer: rook to h6 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·108)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Discovered attack: bishop to f3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to e4 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to f7 (f6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to d7 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to h6 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: king to e2 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f2 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to b4 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: king to e2 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
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