Day 173: Supported queen mate

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.

Types of the daySupported queen mate Uncastled king Hanging piece

Warm-up

1. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a2 (b1)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h2 (h1·4)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·11)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (a7·10)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f5 (h3·2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·50)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·25)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

8. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (g2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g1Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

10. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h4 (h1·6)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g7·2)Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

Black to move — find the best continuation

12. Mate in 1: queen to g7 (d4·6)Shuffle Rating 921 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

13. Mate in 1: queen to g3 (g1)Shuffle Rating 921 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

14. Mate in 1: queen to g7 (h6·4)Shuffle Rating 921 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

15. Mate in 1: queen to b2 (d4)Shuffle Rating 924 Analysis

Black to move — find the best continuation

16. Mate in 1: knight to g3 (f5)Shuffle Rating 954 Analysis

Black to move — find the best continuation

17. Mate in 2: queen to a1 (b2)Shuffle Rating 940 Analysis

Black to move — find the best continuation

18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b5)Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

19. Winning blow: queen to f3 (f2·2)Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

20. Winning blow: rook to e1 (c1)Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g4 (e3·9)Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·103)Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

23. Winning blow: pawn to f7Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

24. Winning blow: bishop to b4 (c3·2)Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (e5)Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4 (c4·2)Shuffle Rating 1010 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

27. Winning blow: rook to g3 (h3·3)Shuffle Rating 1060 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

28. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·20)Shuffle Rating 1060 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a5 (c3)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

30. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b4 (d2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 174 →