Day 868: Ladder mate
Target rating: 1688
Lesson of the day
The ladder mate uses two heavy pieces climbing rung by rung: one cuts the king off along a line, the other checks on the next line, driving him toward the edge. It is the classic two-rook technique — check, the king retreats one rank, the other rook checks, until mate on the last rank. The only danger is the king creeping close enough to attack one of your rooks. If it does, simply slide that rook to the far side of the same line.
Warm-up
1. Mate in 3: bishop to a4 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: knight to e6 (g5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: bishop to g5 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: bishop to f6 (g5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 2: queen to h6 (g5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: queen to f6 (f2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: queen to e7 (b7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: bishop to c5 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a4 (a3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: bishop to b6 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: knight to e6 (c5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: rook to b7 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: knight to e7 (d5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h8 (h7·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: queen to e1 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: rook to b4 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: queen to c6 (b6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 3: queen to c5 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: rook to f8 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 3: rook to h3 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: bishop to c5 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: queen to d5 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c8 (c4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 869 →