Day 591: Endgame tactic
Target rating: 1368
Lesson of the day
Tactics do not retire when the queens come off: forks, pins and double attacks live on in the endgame. With so little material left, every tactical loss is almost always decisive. The signs are the usual ones — undefended pieces, king and piece on one line, a pawn about to promote. Even in a "technical" ending, scan for a shot before every move, both yours and your opponent's.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: queen to b7 (a8·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b2 (b1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to e2 (h5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (d4·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f2 (f1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to c5 (b4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to d7 (b5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to g3 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Pin: knight to f3 (d4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: rook to d1 (d2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Deflection: rook to d5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: rook to c3 (c2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: king to c1 (b1·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to f5 (e3·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b3 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: knight to e5 (d3·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: knight to g6 (h4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to c8 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to g2 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to a4 (b4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (c1·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 592 →