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Day 591: Endgame tactic

Lesson of the day

Tactics do not retire when the queens come off: forks, pins and double attacks live on in the endgame. With so little material left, every tactical loss is almost always decisive. The signs are the usual ones — undefended pieces, king and piece on one line, a pawn about to promote. Even in a "technical" ending, scan for a shot before every move, both yours and your opponent's.

Warm-up

1. Winning blow: queen to b7 (a8·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b2 (b1·13)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e7·2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to e2 (h5·2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (d4·18)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f8·3)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f2 (f1·6)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to c5 (b4·2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to d7 (b5·3)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to g3 (e1·3)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Pin: knight to f3 (d4)Shuffle Rating 1366Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: rook to d1 (d2)Shuffle Rating 1365Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Deflection: rook to d5Shuffle Rating 1386Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: rook to c3 (c2)Shuffle Rating 1346Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: king to c1 (b1·20)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (e7)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to f5 (e3·20)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b3 (c1)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: knight to e5 (d3·19)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: knight to g6 (h4·6)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to c8 (c2)Shuffle Rating 1420Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to g2 (f4)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to a4 (b4·2)Shuffle Rating 1420Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (b4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (c1·16)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: rook to c8 (c7·5)Shuffle Rating 1560Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: rook to e8 (e6·2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: bishop to h7 (b1·4)Shuffle Rating 1650Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 2: fork on e4Shuffle Rating 1510Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
30. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (b5·2)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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