Open in the app

Day 247: 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. Winning blow: pawn to d3 (c2·8)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·19)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a5 (a1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h5 (g4·9)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·10)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (f3·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·8)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (f3·13)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e3 (f2·10)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Skewer: rook to c8 (c6)Shuffle Rating 1013Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Skewer: rook to h4Shuffle Rating 1039Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Skewer: rook to g2Shuffle Rating 1039Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Skewer: rook to h6 (h8)Shuffle Rating 1051Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·108)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Discovered attack: bishop to f3Shuffle Rating 1000Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·21)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to e4 (b7)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to f7 (f6·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to d7 (h3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to h6 (g5)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: king to e2 (d1·4)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f2 (e1·3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to b4 (b2·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: king to e2 (f3·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 1: pawn to g2Shuffle Rating 1149Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: queen to g2 (e2·2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 2: bishop to g6 (b1·3)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 2: rook to e1 (e2)Shuffle Rating 1080Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a1 (b2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 248 →