Day 690: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1494
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. Winning blow: rook to e7 (e1·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to f1 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to g7 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: knight to d6 (e4·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c6 (b4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to e6 (a2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: knight to g6 (e5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d6 (d1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to b4 (b8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to d7 (d2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: rook to d1 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to e4 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (b6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: rook to a5 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a3 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: rook to b8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Fork: queen to a7Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Fork: rook to d5 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to g3 (a3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to b6 (a5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: rook to d7 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: bishop to h7 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: pawn to c6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to b6 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to e7 (e1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 691 →