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The 1000-day course

Day 104: Hanging piece

Target rating: 732

Lesson of the day

A hanging piece is simply an unprotected piece you can take for free. It sounds primitive, yet most amateur games are decided exactly this way. Build the habit: before every move, sweep the board and note every undefended piece, yours and theirs. The classic mistake is hunting for a brilliant combination when all you need to do is bend down and pick up the gift.

Warm-up

1. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (d4·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·12)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to f3Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f2Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: knight to g7Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g2 (d5)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·26)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: bishop to g7 (a1)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·43)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g3 (f2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b5 (d3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c1 (d1·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to f2Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to d8 (e6·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·44)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·31)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·45)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (g5·9)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·32)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (e5·11)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c2 (c1)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: bishop to g5Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (a3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f5 (d3·4)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: queen to d8 (a5·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (c3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a2 (a1·10)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·10)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a8 (a5)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 105 →