Day 126: Hanging piece
Target rating: 618
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 c4 (a5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (f3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (e4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·85)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: bishop to b6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·34)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (e3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to c4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: pawn to b3 (a2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (a1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h7 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·35)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f4 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·86)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a4 (c3·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b6 (a4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·26)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to f6 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to a5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·90)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h4 (g3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (h4·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 127 →