Day 613: Double-check mate
Target rating: 1387
Lesson of the day
The double-check mate ends the game with check from two pieces at once, leaving the king with nothing. Neither capturing nor blocking works against a double check — only a king move, and here there is none. Look for a discovered check where the front piece checks too: it may even land on a defended square with total impunity. That is why the double check crowns so many of the most beautiful sacrificial combinations.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (c4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to b8 (a8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to b6 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to d5 (d8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to e7 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to h2 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: king to b1 (a2·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to f2 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (c4·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: bishop to d5 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (b3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to d5 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: bishop to f5 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: king to d2 (c1·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: rook to d7 (c7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: bishop to a7 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: knight to f5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Fork: rook to b3 (a3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to e5 (e4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Discovered attack: queen to f2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to a6 (c4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Win the hanging queen on d1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 614 →