Day 322: Supported queen mate

Target Rating 867

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 Quiet move Hanging piece

Warm-up

1. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f2 (c2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·79)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

3. Winning blow: queen to b4 (a5)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a5 (b4·14)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a5 (b3·19)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·30)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (b2·4)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b5 (b1·5)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (a1·18)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·92)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Mate in 2: rook to d8 (d1·4)Shuffle Rating 1090 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

12. Mate in 2: queen to d6Shuffle Rating 1090 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

13. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (e6)Shuffle Rating 1090 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

14. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (b5)Shuffle Rating 1090 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

15. Mate in 2: queen to f5Shuffle Rating 1090 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

16. Winning blow: queen to b7 (a6·2)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

17. Winning blow: pawn to h3 (h2·2)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

18. Winning blow: knight to b3 (a1)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

19. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (g2)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

20. Winning blow: rook to c5 (c3)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

21. Winning blow: bishop to a6 (b5)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

22. Winning blow: rook to c1 (f1)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

23. Winning blow: rook to f4 (f1·3)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

24. Winning blow: rook to d4 (d1·3)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

25. Winning blow: queen to b5 (a6·2)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 2: queen to h8 (g7)Shuffle Rating 1090 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

27. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (b7·9)Shuffle Rating 1110 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

28. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c3 (b2)Shuffle Rating 1150 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a2 (c2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

30. Winning blow: pawn to e7 (e6·3)Shuffle Rating 970 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!