Day 114: Hanging piece
Target rating: 748
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: rook to f1 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d2 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to a7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: knight to h8 (f7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·70)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a4 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f4 (d3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a5 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (g5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·39)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: pawn to d6 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (d5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (f3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 115 →