Day 11: Hanging piece
Target rating: 616
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. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (c6·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a7 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 1: rook to h4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (d3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (f5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 2: queen to d1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 1: rook to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 1: queen to f7 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Back-rank mate in 1 on d1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: king to g2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 1: rook to e8 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (d3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Back-rank mate in 2 on c8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 1: rook to h1 (a1)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 1: queen to f8 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to f2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 1: rook to e8 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 1: queen to f7 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 12 →