Day 938: Supported queen mate
Target rating: 1838
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 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: rook to d8 (d2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to c7 (a5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: queen to g6 (d6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to g6 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: rook to f7 (f1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Fork: queen to f7 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to c7 (c1·29)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: queen to c8 (g8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Pin: rook to f5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: bishop to a7 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: rook to a8 (a5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: queen to a8 (a2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (a5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to c5 (f2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to a7 (a4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: king to h1 (g2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: pawn to h7 (h6·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: king to d3 (e2·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h7 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: king to d2 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to f7 (f6·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to b1 (c1·41)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to b5 (b4·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: king to h2 (g1·43)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 939 →