Day 934: Knight mate
Target rating: 1978
Lesson of the day
In a knight mate the final blow comes from the knight — the only piece whose check can never be blocked. That makes it lethal against a cramped king: only a king move or capturing the knight itself can help. The sign: the squares around the king are occupied or covered, and there is a hop from which the knight checks while staying untouchable. Bring the knight over early — it is slower than the long-range pieces, but its strike cannot be parried.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: pawn to g5 (g4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to c7 (e6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to d1 (b1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to d7 (d6·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to d3 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: pawn to f6 (f5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (e4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to b3 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to e3 (e4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Chess960 tactic on e3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Chess960 tactic on a4 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to c7 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Chess960 tactic on e3 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Chess960 tactic on c8 (b8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to a1 (b1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to f7 (f1·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: pawn to d7 (d6·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to d3 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (e3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to d7 (d6·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to h5 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: pawn to d7 (d6·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to f7 (b3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: queen to d5 (b3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 935 →