Day 123: Hanging piece
Target rating: 763
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: pawn to b6 (a5·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (g4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·64)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e2 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·86)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b1 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g3 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3 (b1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·79)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·80)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a7 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·82)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to d1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·65)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 124 →