Day 231: Remove the defender
Target rating: 754
Lesson of the day
Removing the defender is the straightforward plan: capture the guard first, then take what it guarded. Unlike deflection, the defender is not lured away — it is traded off or destroyed on the spot. Stare at the target you crave and ask who defends it, and whether that defender can be profitably eaten. Count the whole capture sequence, not just the first move — the trade must pay off at the end.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g3 (h2·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b5 (a5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: pawn to b3 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (d5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c4 (c1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: king to f2 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e3 (d2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: rook to f4 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: knight to d7 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·30)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e6 (f5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to g8 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·34)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: king to g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (h4·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d3 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h6 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to b7 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·35)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (h7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 232 →