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Day 268: 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: pawn to f5 (g4·13)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·11)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: king to e2 (e1·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·44)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (g5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·17)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c8 (b8·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a4 (d1·9)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (e3·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to b4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: bishop to e6 (g4)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to g7 (f6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g8 (g3·3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: knight to c5 (e4·3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to h7 (h4·2)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to b3 (b1)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to b1 (a1·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g2 (e3·3)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d2 (e1·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b4 (b3·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: knight to e2 (f4)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to e4 (g5)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to g2 (f1·12)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to f7 (f1·8)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g8 (g3·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c2 (d1·15)Shuffle Rating 1110Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: rook to h1 (g1·10)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: knight to g6 (h4·5)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f6 (b6)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: king to f2 (e2·5)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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