Day 795: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1696
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 2: queen to e5 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: queen to f7 (f5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: rook to f4 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: rook to g8 (d8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to c6 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: queen to c5 (c8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: queen to d5 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: rook to c1 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: queen to b6 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: knight to b4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: rook to g7 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f6 (a1·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (f5·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to e6 (a2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c5 (c1·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to g7 (g1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to b7 (b5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h6 (h7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to d7 (h3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g7 (f7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to f7 (g6·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to c6 (e5·28)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to g8 (h8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d4 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: queen to c7 (a5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 796 →