Day 832: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1773
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 3: queen to c7 (h2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: knight to a6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to a8 (a7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: bishop to g5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to f1 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: queen to e4 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: bishop to f6 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: rook to f6 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: rook to b6 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: rook to g1 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: queen to f8 (f7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to e3 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: queen to e6 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to e5 (e8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: queen to e8 (e6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to e3 (c5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: deflection on f3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Skewer: rook to f5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Fork: bishop to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 3: queen to d5 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: queen to c8 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: rook to g2 (g3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to e1 (e8·7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 833 →