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Day 159: Skewer

Lesson of the day

A skewer is a pin turned inside out: the valuable piece stands in front and something cheaper hides behind it. The big piece must step aside, and you collect the one that was sheltering in its shadow. Scan for the enemy king or queen sharing a file, rank or diagonal with another enemy piece. The deadliest version comes with check — the king moves, the rook behind it dies.

Warm-up

1. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h6 (h1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to a8 (d5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (a1·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (a2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f3 (d1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (c6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (a3·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f2 (e1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·9)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h8 (h1)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b4 (c3·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a8 (a7)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to a8 (a7)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to a8 (a1)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·11)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (f2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a1 (b1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (c7·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to g1 (f2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (a1·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (f1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (d4·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (e2·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (h1·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: knight to d6 (f5·5)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d5 (c6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: rook to a8 (e8·2)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (c4)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: queen to e5 (h8)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 160 →