Day 283: Ladder mate
Target rating: 971
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 c5 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b2 (d3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (f1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·33)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h3 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f5 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (c2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e1 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h6 (g5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to a4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to e6 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: queen to c5 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to h6 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Deflection: bishop to d3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Fork: queen to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Discovered attack: pawn to d4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to b5 (a4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c2 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to a4 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Discovered attack: bishop to f2 (c5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to e2 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d3 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e2 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 284 →