Day 189: Hanging piece
Target rating: 702
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 e5 (d4·55)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g4 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (d4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h5 (d1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to b8 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (h3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (g1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d4 (d1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c1 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (e1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (c3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·36)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b2 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·30)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h1 (g1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (c3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7 (h6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (f4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d1 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·51)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
26. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f1 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (e4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 190 →