THE CHESS BOOK
Checkmate exercises
Exercise 1 – Checkmate in 1 (White to move):
White: Kg1, Qh6, Rg2
Black: Kg8, Pf7, Pg7
The best move is Qxg7#
Exercise 2 – Checkmate in 2 (Black to move):
Black: Qd8, Rh8, Bc5
White: Kh1, Pg2, Pf2
Find the sequence.
The best moves are:
1. Qh4+
2. Kg1 (white)
3. Qh1#
Defense exercises
Exercise 1 – Defend against mate threat (White to move):
Black threatens mate on g8.
White: Kg1, Rh1, Pg2
Black: Qh4, Bc5, Rf8
Find the best defensive move.
The best move is RxQh4
Exercise 2 – Avoid losing material (Black to move):
White is threatening to win the knight on e5.
Black: Ne5, Qd6, Pf7
White: Qe2, Bd3, Re1
Find a move that saves the knight or equalizes.
The best move is Nxd3
Attacking exercises
Exercise 1 – Break through the defense (White to move):
White: Qg4, Rf3, Kf1
Black: Kg8, Pg7, Rh8, Qd6
Find the best attacking move.
The best move is Qc4+
Exercise 2 – Tactical blow (Black to move):
White’s king is exposed.
Black: Qd4, Nf6, Bc8
White: Kf2, Pf3, Pg2
Find the strongest attacking move.
The best move is Ng4+