Day 563: Knight mate
Target rating: 1323
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. Win the hanging king on a7Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 2: knight to g6 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 2: queen to b8 (e8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (e3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 2: rook to f7 (f5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 2: knight to f6 (g4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (f7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: rook to b8 (b1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 1: pin on g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: bishop to d7 (h3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: pawn to d5 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: fork on g6 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to f6 (h5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: king to a2 (b1·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to h2 (h1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to a7 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Castling-960 to the rescue on h1 (g1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: knight to b5 (a7·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to h3 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: pin on g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (e4·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to h8 (e8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (a8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 564 →