Day 913: Supported queen mate
Target rating: 1926
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: queen to d6 (c5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: rook to b7 (c7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to h6 (e3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: queen to b5 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: rook to h8 (d8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: rook to f7 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (a6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: rook to g8 (g2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: knight to f6 (e4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to d7 (b5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: queen to g1 (g5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: pin on h5 (g5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 1: queen to d6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: queen to g6 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: pawn to h7 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to e7 (e3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Fork: rook to d2 (d8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: rook to h7 (h1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 3: queen to h2 (h5·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: queen to f8 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (e6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: double attack on e1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: discovered attack on b3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: pin on f1 (f2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to h3 (h8·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 914 →