Day 268: Skewer
Target rating: 947
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: pawn to f5 (g4·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: king to e2 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·44)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c8 (b8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a4 (d1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to b4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: bishop to e6 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to g7 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g8 (g3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: knight to c5 (e4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to h7 (h4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to b3 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to b1 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g2 (e3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d2 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b4 (b3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: knight to e2 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to e4 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to g2 (f1·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to f7 (f1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g8 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 269 →