Day 650: Ladder mate
Target rating: 1432
Lesson of the day
The ladder mate uses two heavy pieces climbing rung by rung: one cuts the king off along a line, the other checks on the next line, driving him toward the edge. It is the classic two-rook technique — check, the king retreats one rank, the other rook checks, until mate on the last rank. The only danger is the king creeping close enough to attack one of your rooks. If it does, simply slide that rook to the far side of the same line.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e2 (e1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d2 (e1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d1 (c1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c7 (c3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: king to b1 (c1·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to d7 (c5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: king to b1 (c1·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e2 (e1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 2: queen to e7 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: king to g2 (h1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: queen to h1 (h3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: rook to c8 (c7·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: rook to g7 (g1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: deflection on g2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: rook to g6 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to c5 (c1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to f4 (f2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to f7 (e6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to h7 (g6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to h8 (h7·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: knight to b4 (d3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to e5 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to b1 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d7 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to a3 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 651 →