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Day 562: Epaulette mate

Lesson of the day

In the epaulette mate the king stands between two of its own pieces — most often rooks — like an officer wearing epaulettes. The side squares are blocked by friends, there is no retreat, and the queen mates head-on from directly in front of the king. The sign: a king on the edge rank with both neighboring squares on that rank occupied by its own pieces. Remember, extra defenders crowding the king can be deadlier than no defenders at all.

Warm-up

1. Winning blow: queen to a6 (b6)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to e5 (a1·5)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to g6 (f4·7)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to g6 (g3·5)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to b7 (c6·7)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to c5 (b6)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to h7 (b1)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c5 (g1·2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f8·2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to f8 (g8)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b6 (d5·6)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: knight to h5Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: knight to f6 (g4·4)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b3 (e3)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: rook to h8 (h3·2)Shuffle Rating 1463Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to g5 (e7·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to e6 (c4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: king to d2 (d1·9)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6 (f4·7)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to e5 (g3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b3 (d2·3)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: bishop to c5 (b6·4)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to e5 (b2·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (f1·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to d7 (h3·3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: knight to g5 (e6·3)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: queen to e2 (c4)Shuffle Rating 1560Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: king to g2 (g1·13)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e1·11)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h1 (g1·18)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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