Day 562: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1321
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 a6 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to e5 (a1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to g6 (f4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to g6 (g3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to b7 (c6·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to c5 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to h7 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c5 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to f8 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b6 (d5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: knight to h5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: knight to f6 (g4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b3 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: rook to h8 (h3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to g5 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to e6 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: king to d2 (d1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6 (f4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to e5 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b3 (d2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: bishop to c5 (b6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to e5 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to d7 (h3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 563 →