Day 855: Supported queen mate
Target rating: 1806
Lesson of the day
The supported queen mate is the most common pattern of all: the queen lands next to the king and mates because a friendly piece or pawn protects her. The king is helpless — capturing is impossible, and the queen covers every neighboring square herself. Hunt for a protected square beside the enemy king: a knight, bishop or pawn eyeing it turns her invasion into mate. Verify one thing — that the square really is defended, or the king eats her.
Warm-up
1. Mate in 3: knight to g5 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: queen to c5 (c4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: rook to e1 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (d5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to c6 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: queen to d7 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e6 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (c1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: queen to d8 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to d5 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: discovered attack on c8Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to e7 (b4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: rook to h8 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: rook to e1 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: king to g4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Deflection: bishop to g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Fork: knight to f5 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to d4 (a1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to b5 (e2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to c7 (c1·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: knight to f5 (g7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: bishop to g4 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to b5 (a4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to d7 (d3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to c8 (f5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 856 →