Day 307: Knight mate
Target rating: 993
Lesson of the day
In a knight mate the final blow comes from the knight — the only piece whose check can never be blocked. That makes it lethal against a cramped king: only a king move or capturing the knight itself can help. The sign: the squares around the king are occupied or covered, and there is a hop from which the knight checks while staying untouchable. Bring the knight over early — it is slower than the long-range pieces, but its strike cannot be parried.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b5 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e3 (d2·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (c3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·89)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: knight to e4 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: king to g1 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h7 (h6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: pawn to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: pawn to f8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to d3 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f3 (g2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to b6 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: knight to g4 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Discovered attack: bishop to h2 (d6·7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to c6 (d4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to e8 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to h1 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Discovered attack: pawn to c4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 308 →