Day 343: Supported queen mate
Target rating: 898
Lesson of the day
The supported queen mate is the most common pattern of all: the queen lands next to the king and mates because a friendly piece or pawn protects her. The king is helpless — capturing is impossible, and the queen covers every neighboring square herself. Hunt for a protected square beside the enemy king: a knight, bishop or pawn eyeing it turns her invasion into mate. Verify one thing — that the square really is defended, or the king eats her.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to e3 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·50)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (d1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (c1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to e1 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c3 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (g3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·80)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (h4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: knight to e7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: knight to e6 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to e2 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (f5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b1 (a1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f1 (e1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to c6 (e5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 344 →