Day 175: Hanging piece
Target rating: 680
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 g2 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g3 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f3 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c2 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d4 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to e3 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to e4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: pawn to e6 (d5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·26)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a4 (c2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to b3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·51)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c5 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a7 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f5 (b1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (g1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: bishop to b7 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: knight to e4 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 176 →