Day 636: Knight mate
Target rating: 1424
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. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (b4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 2: queen to e6 (b6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (d4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 2: queen to f8 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 2: queen to c7 (b7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 2: queen to b8 (b7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: queen to a7 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (c3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (d5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 1: knight to f3 (h4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 1: pin on g7Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: fork on f2 (c5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to c8 (c1·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to g6 (h7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to d7 (d6·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: rook to b5 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to b6 (g1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to b6 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to d4 (a4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Fork: knight to f5 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: bishop to g7 (e5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: rook to g7 (f7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: queen to d1 (c1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 637 →