Day 656: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1440
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. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (e5·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 2: queen to h8 (h6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 2: rook to g7 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: knight to e6 (g5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to e2 (c3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6 (e5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: queen to f6 (h6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: king to e2 (d1·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: bishop to g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to g1 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: knight to d6 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: rook to e8 (e3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: bishop to a6 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Discovered attack: rook to d4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Fork: knight to h7 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Fork: queen to f3 (f5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Pin: knight to g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Fork: rook to c2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
21. Fork: bishop to d7 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Fork: queen to e5 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: knight to e4 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to h3 (g4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Fork: knight to e4 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 657 →