Day 815: Endgame tactic
Target rating: 1731
Lesson of the day
Tactics do not retire when the queens come off: forks, pins and double attacks live on in the endgame. With so little material left, every tactical loss is almost always decisive. The signs are the usual ones — undefended pieces, king and piece on one line, a pawn about to promote. Even in a "technical" ending, scan for a shot before every move, both yours and your opponent's.
Warm-up
1. Mate in 3: bishop to b2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: queen to g8 (h8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: rook to h6 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: queen to f6 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to h4 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: queen to f5 (d7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: king to g1 (h2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: queen to d8 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: queen to d7 (c6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: knight to f4 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Fork: knight to c1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: rook to d7 (c7·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to e7 (e1·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: bishop to g5 (f4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to a5 (a4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: bishop to c6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: queen to e5 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 3: rook to a7 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: queen to b8 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (e4·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 3: queen to e6 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: knight to a5 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: bishop to f5 (d3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 3: knight to d6 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 816 →