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Day 690: 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: rook to e7 (e1·17)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to f1 (f5)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to g7 (e7·2)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: knight to d6 (e4·13)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c6 (b4·10)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to e6 (a2·3)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: knight to g6 (e5·8)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d6 (d1·3)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to b4 (b8)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to d7 (d2·7)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Mate in 3: rook to d1 (g1)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to e4 (a8)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (b6·2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: rook to a5 (e5)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a3 (b2·2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: rook to b8Shuffle Rating 1586Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Fork: queen to a7Shuffle Rating 1585Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Fork: rook to d5 (d2)Shuffle Rating 1586Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to g3 (a3)Shuffle Rating 1587Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to b6 (a5·3)Shuffle Rating 1440Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: rook to d7 (d3)Shuffle Rating 1440Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: bishop to h7 (c2)Shuffle Rating 1440Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: pawn to c6Shuffle Rating 1440Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to b6 (b1)Shuffle Rating 1440Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to e7 (e1·6)Shuffle Rating 1440Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b4 (e4)Shuffle Rating 1650Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: knight to f5 (g3·19)Shuffle Rating 1750Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 2: queen to h6 (h5·3)Shuffle Rating 1804Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: queen to h8 (h5·4)Shuffle Rating 1650Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Mate in 2: rook to e7 (g7)Shuffle Rating 1440Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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