Day 883: Epaulette mate
Target rating: 1876
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 c6 (f6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to g5 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: rook to b7 (b8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to d4 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: queen to h7 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (f4·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: bishop to g6 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to a8 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Chess960 tactic on g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Chess960 tactic on e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Chess960 tactic on f5 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (f5·32)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: bishop to b5 (c4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to e1 (f1)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Discovered attack: knight to e4 (c5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Fork: bishop to f2 (c5·6)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to f5 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e4·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Fork: queen to b6 (d8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to h5 (h1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to a7 (b5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to d7 (d2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to g4 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 884 →