Day 466: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1200
Lesson of the day
In the epaulette mate the king stands between two of its own pieces — most often rooks — like an officer wearing epaulettes. The side squares are blocked by friends, there is no retreat, and the queen mates head-on from directly in front of the king. The sign: a king on the edge rank with both neighboring squares on that rank occupied by its own pieces. Remember, extra defenders crowding the king can be deadlier than no defenders at all.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: queen to g7 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to d5 (e3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to f5 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to f7 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b4 (b1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to d6 (c6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to h8 (h1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: bishop to h7 (g6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to f3 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to f6 (c3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (f5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (g6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (g6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to f1 (f7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e6 (e1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to b7 (h7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g3 (h3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a5 (a1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g4 (e3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to f5 (g3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (g7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: knight to d6 (f5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: knight to f6 (h5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
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