Day 514: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1260
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 f6 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d1·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to e7 (f5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to a8 (a7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a2 (a1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: bishop to e6 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to h8 (h7·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: pawn to e6 (f5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: queen to g3 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to h1 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: knight to a7 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: queen to h4 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to a7 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (d4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to d4 (b2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Castling-960 to the rescue on a8 (f8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d1 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: knight to f5 (d4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Castling-960 to the rescue on a1 (c1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to f1 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (c1·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Castling-960 to the rescue on a1 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 515 →