Day 669: Knight mate
Target rating: 1460
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 f6 (c3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 2: queen to g8 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (b6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (f4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (b8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: knight to g6 (e5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 2: queen to c6 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to d7 (b5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 1: pin on g6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to f1 (f7·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: rook to d5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (c4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to f4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Pin: bishop to b6Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to d7 (d6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to g8 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (b6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: bishop to d6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (g6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: rook to g6 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 670 →