Day 379: Knight mate
Target rating: 1092
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. Winning blow: knight to b7 (a5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: king to g2 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (e4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c2 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: knight to e7 (d5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e8 (b5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h6 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to c3 (b2·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to c8 (d6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to a5 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: queen to f2 (a7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: knight to e6 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: pawn to h5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to h2 (h5·4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: fork on f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: fork on h7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 1: queen to h5 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 1: queen to g7 (g4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (d3·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g4 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to f4 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 380 →