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Day 358: 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 c4 (d3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to a1Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c7 (a5·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: knight to e2 (g3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: king to f2 (g1)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: rook to a3Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to g3 (h3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to c8 (c1)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: king to b2 (a1)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f5 (b1·6)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: rook to a8 (c8)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to b8 (b1·2)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to g5 (e3·4)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to a7 (a1·2)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Skewer: rook to h4 (h5)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to f5 (d3·3)Shuffle Rating 1110Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to e4 (g3·3)Shuffle Rating 1110Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Fork: bishop to f7 (b3)Shuffle Rating 1110Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Fork: queen to f1Shuffle Rating 1113Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Fork: knight to b6Shuffle Rating 1113Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to h6 (c1·3)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Fork: bishop to f2 (c5)Shuffle Rating 1118Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: rook to e4Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Fork: rook to d6 (c6)Shuffle Rating 1118Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to g6 (e4)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7 (c3·4)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f3 (a8)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a6 (a3·2)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (d3·6)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (a8·5)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 359 →