Day 663: Skewer
Target rating: 1451
Lesson of the day
A skewer is a pin turned inside out: the valuable piece stands in front and something cheaper hides behind it. The big piece must step aside, and you collect the one that was sheltering in its shadow. Scan for the enemy king or queen sharing a file, rank or diagonal with another enemy piece. The deadliest version comes with check — the king moves, the rook behind it dies.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: king to b1 (c1·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to e4 (f5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to g2 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: bishop to g7 (f6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: king to b1 (a1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to d4 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 2: knight to b6 (d7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: king to h1 (g1·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to c6 (c7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: knight to h6 (g4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to e8 (e1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: knight to e6 (g5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f5 (f1·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: bishop to f2 (g1·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·32)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to f2 (b6·5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (d8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: rook to g8 (g1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to c6 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: knight to e5 (g4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: pawn to e6 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (f3·38)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: knight to d7 (e5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (b4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to b6 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 664 →