Day 459: Ladder mate
Target rating: 1188
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. Winning blow: bishop to c1 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to d7 (e8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: king to h1 (g1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: king to a2 (b1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to c7 (b8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: king to c1 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: knight to b5 (a3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: king to h1 (g1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to e5 (d6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: rook to d8 (d1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (f2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to h6 (d2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: pawn to g8 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d2 (c1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to f5 (e3·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to d8 (d1·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to c4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to b8 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e1 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: bishop to g3 (h4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to f3 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d3 (d1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 460 →