Day 629: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1412
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 f5 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to e1 (f1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to a3 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c7 (b8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (a2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (b4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to a7 (a2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to e3 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to f5 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to e6 (g6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: queen to e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b1 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (g7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b6 (c4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to e8 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: knight to c6 (e7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to f4 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to f8 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to a1 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to h7 (h4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: queen to d1 (a4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to b1 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (f5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 630 →