Open in the app

Day 479: 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: knight to c6 (d4·5)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to g8 (h7·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to g6 (e8)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to e8 (c8·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to g7 (e5·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to c6 (f3·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to d5 (f3·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to d8 (d7·4)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f1·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to e4 (e1·6)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: rook to b6 (b2·3)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: king to e2 (f1·11)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (c4·6)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: pawn to e4 (e2·4)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: king to c2 (d1·19)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to d4 (h8)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (f3·5)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: rook to e7 (e1·3)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Discovered attack: pawn to b3Shuffle Rating 1244Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to b2 (b8)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to d2 (d1·11)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Pin: bishop to d7Shuffle Rating 1265Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to a6 (b5)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (h8)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to h6 (d6)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (c4·5)Shuffle Rating 1440Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: deflection on f2Shuffle Rating 1480Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 2: bishop to e2 (d3·2)Shuffle Rating 1550Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: king to c2 (b2·3)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: knight to f7 (d6·5)Shuffle Rating 1420Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 480 →