Day 325: Ladder mate
Target rating: 1022
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 c6 (e5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (h1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to d5 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to h8 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to f6 (e4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: pawn to f4 (g3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to f4 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: knight to e6 (g7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: pawn to b5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: pawn to d6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: bishop to f1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: pawn to c8 (c7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (f5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to h3 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: pawn to b6 (b5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (b4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a7 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (b4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to g5 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (g2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to f2 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 326 →