Day 253: Remove the defender
Target rating: 923
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: king to f1 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a5 (b4·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a6 (f1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5 (g3·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f3 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f2 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·59)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·75)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (a1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: bishop to d6 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: rook to e1 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to d7 (b5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g1 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Fork: knight to g6 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Pin: knight to h5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Fork: knight to f1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e1 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2 (f1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to e1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to g1 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: king to a1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to a6 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: pawn to e4 (d3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 254 →