Day 761: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1621
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. Mate in 3: queen to b6 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: king to h1 (h2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b7 (b6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: queen to a4 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to g4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: knight to c6 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: queen to e6 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: bishop to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: knight to g7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: rook to e8 (e1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: knight to c5 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to h8 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: queen to b5 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: bishop to e7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to g6 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to a5 (d2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to e7 (g7·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e2·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (g7·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to a8 (e4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to d7 (e5·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to f4 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: discovered attack on g4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to f4 (h4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 762 →