Day 260: Hanging piece
Target rating: 934
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: king to b2 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h4 (e1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·29)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h2 (f3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to e4 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (e1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to f3 (e2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·32)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (d2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to g5 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c4 (a3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·39)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to b6 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to h7 (h1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: king to g2 (f1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to g7 (h7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (e1·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: king to a2 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to d8 (e8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to b1 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: king to d2 (c1·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to e5 (e1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 261 →