Day 943: Ladder mate
Target rating: 1996
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. Chess960 tactic on d3 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Chess960 tactic on d6 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Chess960 tactic on g5 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Chess960 tactic on f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Chess960 tactic on d8 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to f7 (d6·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Chess960 tactic on d2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: rook to a4 (c4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
9. Chess960 tactic on f7 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Chess960 tactic on f4 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Chess960 tactic on c8 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Chess960 tactic on h7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Chess960 tactic on f7 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Chess960 tactic on d1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Chess960 tactic on f3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Discovered attack: rook to e3 (e7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: bishop to c6 (g2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Chess960 tactic on g8 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Chess960 tactic on h3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Chess960 tactic on c6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to b5 (c5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Chess960 tactic on e4 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Chess960 tactic on e6 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (c6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Chess960 tactic on b7 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 944 →