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The 1000-day course

Day 147: Hanging piece

Target rating: 642

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 f7 (g8)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d3 (e1)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·103)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to e1 (d1)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (e2·15)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·9)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·83)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: king to c1Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a5 (a6·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c8 (b8)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (c4·12)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·7)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·15)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h4 (g3·4)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (a5)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·33)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·104)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b1·10)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g3 (h2·24)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (c3·3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f4 (d3·11)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to c5 (b4)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·98)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a6 (b5·3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d3 (e2·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (e3·3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: rook to a7 (a2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g3 (f2·18)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d3 (f2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·34)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 148 →