Day 149: Remove the defender
Target rating: 792
Lesson of the day
Removing the defender is the straightforward plan: capture the guard first, then take what it guarded. Unlike deflection, the defender is not lured away — it is traded off or destroyed on the spot. Stare at the target you crave and ask who defends it, and whether that defender can be profitably eaten. Count the whole capture sequence, not just the first move — the trade must pay off at the end.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (h2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to f3 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c8 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a4 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a2 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (c2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: knight to c5 (a4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d7 (a4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to b1 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: bishop to d3 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: pawn to c4 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to h8 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to g7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c4 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a5 (b4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h5 (g4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d3 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a6 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 150 →