Day 119: Hanging piece
Target rating: 606
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 d5 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (e3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (g5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: bishop to e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g2 (g1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a4 (a1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g4 (d1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·28)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·44)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (f3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to f4 (g3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c4 (d2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (c4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (h1·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d5 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 120 →