Day 2: Hanging piece
Target rating: 601
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: knight to b7 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Skewer: rook to a3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 1: pawn to c5Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 1: queen to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Back-rank mate in 2 on e1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: rook to a1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 1: rook to e1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 1: queen to c8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 1: queen to a8 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: pawn to b7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to g5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 1: queen to f8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Fork: knight to d5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Skewer: rook to b1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 1: queen to g7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Back-rank mate in 3 on g1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: rook to d8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 3 →