Day 105: Hanging piece
Target rating: 600
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. Winning blow: queen to d4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: pawn to g3 (h2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g4 (e3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (a1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f6 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5 (g3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f4 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (e5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·58)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: pawn to h7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to g3 (h2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6 (e5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to a8 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 106 →