Day 133: Hanging piece
Target rating: 629
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: bishop to c5 (d4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: pawn to c5 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to f5 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·47)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·48)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·36)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·93)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·52)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (f4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h3 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h5 (g4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b2 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·53)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: pawn to c5 (b4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (e5·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·54)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (c3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·72)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·73)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5 (g3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 134 →