Day 239: Hanging piece
Target rating: 916
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 b7 (h1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f6 (g7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a7 (b8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c2 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g4 (g1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g4 (g1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f8 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7 (a1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to c2 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to e2 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to g1 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·78)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f4 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to g7 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (d3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Fork: knight to e8 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: king to g2 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to e6 (e5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Fork: knight to e7 (c6·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to c5 (d4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to c1 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 240 →