Day 26: Hanging piece
Target rating: 640
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. Mate in 2: rook to h7Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (a1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 1: queen to f1 (c4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 2: rook to d5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a6 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: rook to h8 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: rook to h1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b4 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (a1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to d6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: rook to e1 (e7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a7 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f6 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 27 →