Day 140: Hanging piece
Target rating: 640
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 g4 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c8 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·51)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c3 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: king to b1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·100)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a2 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to a8 (d8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a4 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3 (b1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to e5 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·59)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: knight to f5 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f8 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (c7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a6 (b5·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (a1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·54)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 141 →