Day 800: Knight mate
Target rating: 1696
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 3: pawn to g5 (g4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: rook to e1 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: rook to e8 (e2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: knight to h6 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to g4 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 2: rook to d7 (d6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: queen to f7 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: queen to e7 (c5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: bishop to b3 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c5 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 1: knight to f7 (d6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: rook to b2 (b7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 1: knight to d2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: rook to d2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: bishop to a5 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b5 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to c6 (b5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to f5 (c8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to f7 (f6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to g3 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 3: fork on g7 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Win the hanging king on e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: pawn to e8 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: rook to h3 (h2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Deflection: pawn to h2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 801 →