Day 261: Ladder mate
Target rating: 936
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: rook to a8 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (d4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (e2·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c2 (c1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (e3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a5 (b3·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h3 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 1: rook to g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 1: rook to e1 (e8·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to c6 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: knight to f7 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to f8 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: knight to b7 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b1 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to f7 (d7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (h4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to f1 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to d2 (c1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to g7 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 262 →