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Day 719: 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 d7 (e5·15)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to g7 (g5·4)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to b6 (g1·4)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to b4 (a3·2)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to g6 (g4)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to e8 (e2·4)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to e7 (c5·3)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: knight to d7 (c5·19)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to b6 (d5·10)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to b7 (b1·11)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: rook to d8 (d4·9)Shuffle Rating 1650Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (b5·3)Shuffle Rating 1650Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to d8 (d7·5)Shuffle Rating 1700Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: pawn to c6 (b5·12)Shuffle Rating 1700Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (a1·14)Shuffle Rating 1700Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Discovered attack: rook to e3Shuffle Rating 1625Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: deflection on f2 (h4)Shuffle Rating 1625Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Fork: queen to b1 (d3)Shuffle Rating 1625Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to h4 (e4·2)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f5 (c2·2)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to b3 (b2)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c1 (d1·6)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to g1 (f3)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to b5 (c3·21)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to f1 (e1·7)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 3: knight to f5 (d4·5)Shuffle Rating 1760Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Win the hanging king on a6Shuffle Rating 1821Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (e2·14)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (e5·8)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Mate in 3: queen to c3Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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