Day 60: Mate in 1
Target rating: 678
Lesson of the day
Mate in one: the combination is over, only the final precise shot remains. The method is simple — list every check you have and test the three escapes against each: king moves, blocks, and capturing the checker. If none of them works, it is mate. The classic blunder is falling in love with the first check you see and missing the one escape hatch.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a2 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·26)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 1: queen to a1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 1: queen to g8 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 1: bishop to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (h6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to b7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to h1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: knight to a3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·28)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·29)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
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