Day 154: Hanging piece
Target rating: 646
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 e4 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c3 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (a3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (a2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f3 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c1 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c2 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c2 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (a1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f5 (b1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h5 (g4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to f4 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (c3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c1 (d1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 155 →