Day 138: Hanging piece
Target rating: 787
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: queen to f3 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c2 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c4 (d2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (e5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·93)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (c4·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b5 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: pawn to h3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to f1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (g5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·28)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b3 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (f3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to g8 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (f4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 139 →