Day 109: Hanging piece
Target rating: 740
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: knight to b2 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·33)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h4 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: knight to c3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d6 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: knight to c5 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: pawn to f3 (g2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to g4 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·64)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·65)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (e3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (g4·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h3 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (h4·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 110 →