Day 954: Supported queen mate
Target rating: 2003
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. Winning blow: queen to h7 (d3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (f4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to d6 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to c4 (c1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to d6 (d1·28)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to c6 (e4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: bishop to h7 (f5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to f7 (g8·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to h6 (h1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to b4 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: queen to f2 (h4·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 1: queen to e4 (h1)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to c2 (f2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to e4 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to b7 (a6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to g6 (g3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to e7 (f6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to h7 (h3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to d6 (d1·29)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to h7 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to e7 (e1·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to b6 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to e4 (c3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to b7 (f3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 955 →