Day 14: Hanging piece
Target rating: 600
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. Back-rank mate in 2 on b1 (b2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Back-rank mate in 2 on b1 (b3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (e5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (h5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (a4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to d1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (e5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 15 →