Day 23: Hanging piece
Target rating: 635
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 h8 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: bishop to c8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·26)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 1: rook to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·67)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to e3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (h7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 1: rook to h2 (d2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·71)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 1: rook to h8 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d7 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (f4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: pawn to f4 (g3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 24 →