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Day 954: Supported queen mate

Lesson of the day

The supported queen mate is the most common pattern of all: the queen lands next to the king and mates because a friendly piece or pawn protects her. The king is helpless — capturing is impossible, and the queen covers every neighboring square herself. Hunt for a protected square beside the enemy king: a knight, bishop or pawn eyeing it turns her invasion into mate. Verify one thing — that the square really is defended, or the king eats her.

Warm-up

1. Winning blow: queen to h7 (d3·6)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (f4·4)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to d6 (a6)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to c4 (c1·8)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to d6 (d1·28)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to c6 (e4·5)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: bishop to h7 (f5·2)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to f7 (g8·6)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to h6 (h1·8)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to b4 (b1·4)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Mate in 2: queen to f2 (h4·3)Shuffle Rating 2144Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 1: queen to e4 (h1)Shuffle Rating 2149Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: queen to c2 (f2)Shuffle Rating 2157Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to e4 (g6)Shuffle Rating 2170Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: queen to b7 (a6·3)Shuffle Rating 2170Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to g6 (g3·12)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to e7 (f6·4)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to h7 (h3·2)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d6·3)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to d6 (d1·29)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to h7 (g8)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to e7 (e1·31)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to b6 (e3·4)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to e4 (c3·9)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to b7 (f3·7)Shuffle Rating 2100Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 3: deflection on c1Shuffle Rating 2212Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
27. Pin: rook to b8 (b1)Shuffle Rating 2249Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e3·7)Shuffle Rating 2290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 3: bishop to d7 (c6)Shuffle Rating 2170Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Fork: knight to e4 (f6·3)Shuffle Rating 2156Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 955 →