Day 161: Hanging piece
Target rating: 658
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: pawn to a4 (b3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b3 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (g4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f5 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: king to d2 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: king to b2 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: pawn to f3 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (g1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a3 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (a4·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: king to e3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5 (g3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to f8 (e6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: knight to h8 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (f3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c5 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h4 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4 (c1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 162 →