Day 266: Hanging piece
Target rating: 794
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: bishop to g2 (h1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c3 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (h3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to d1 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·81)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a2 (a1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·43)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h4 (h1·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g4 (g1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (c3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a4 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: bishop to a8 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (a1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·30)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (d2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (e3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (a3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h5 (g4·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (h7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d7 (g4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to g6 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: queen to f5 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 267 →