Day 818: Skewer
Target rating: 1738
Lesson of the day
A skewer is a pin turned inside out: the valuable piece stands in front and something cheaper hides behind it. The big piece must step aside, and you collect the one that was sheltering in its shadow. Scan for the enemy king or queen sharing a file, rank or diagonal with another enemy piece. The deadliest version comes with check — the king moves, the rook behind it dies.
Warm-up
1. Mate in 3: knight to f5 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: pawn to h8 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: rook to a7 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: queen to d7 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to d4 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: rook to e1 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: rook to b1 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h6 (h2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: pawn to b5 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: bishop to e3 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: rook to e1 (e8·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (a1·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to c8 (h8·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: rook to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Skewer: queen to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (g1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: rook to g8 (g7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: queen to c2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to a8 (a7·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: knight to f5 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (g8·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: queen to f7 (f3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to f8 (f7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 819 →