Day 643: X-ray
Target rating: 1432
Lesson of the day
An X-ray lets a long-range piece act through an enemy piece standing on the same line — its power shines straight through. The square behind looks safe or defended, and that illusion is exactly what the tactic exploits. Check your rooks, bishops and queens: is a key square or a target hiding behind an enemy piece on their line? When counting captures on a square, include the X-ray attackers — they join the fight the moment the line opens.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: queen to a6 (a7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 2: rook to a8 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (g6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (h8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a6 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (d5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 2: rook to g7 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: queen to h8 (h4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: king to h2 (h1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (b8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h6 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: rook to f8 (d8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e1·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to b8 (b7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to g6 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to e6 (h3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: bishop to g7 (d4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to c7 (d7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to h7 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to f6 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (e4·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to c8 (c1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: bishop to e7 (d6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to d5 (d1·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
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