Day 304: Ladder mate
Target rating: 988
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: knight to e4 (c3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (e1·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a7 (f2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·48)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f8 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h5 (g4·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·49)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (e1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: bishop to c8 (f5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: pawn to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to b6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: rook to d7 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: rook to f8 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: bishop to c7 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to g7 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: bishop to g6 (b1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to e5 (e1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to b3 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: knight to e5 (c4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to c6 (c1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to b8 (b7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h5 (d1·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: pawn to g6 (f5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 305 →