Day 785: Ladder mate
Target rating: 1681
Lesson of the day
The ladder mate uses two heavy pieces climbing rung by rung: one cuts the king off along a line, the other checks on the next line, driving him toward the edge. It is the classic two-rook technique — check, the king retreats one rank, the other rook checks, until mate on the last rank. The only danger is the king creeping close enough to attack one of your rooks. If it does, simply slide that rook to the far side of the same line.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: queen to d5 (e5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to d6 (c4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: king to f4 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: knight to d5 (f4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to b3 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: pawn to c6 (b5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: knight to d7 (e5·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to c4 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to d6 (e4·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to b2 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: knight to c5 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: rook to c8 (c6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: rook to a7 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: knight to h6 (f7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (f3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: knight to b7 (a5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: queen to a8 (a7·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: rook to d2 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 3: queen to d8 (f6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (e7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 3: bishop to a5 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 3: queen to c4 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: pawn to d8 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: queen to g5 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (d5·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 786 →