Day 29: Hanging piece
Target rating: 644
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: pawn to e4 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a6 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Fork: rook to b3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: queen to c1 (c8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Fork: knight to f2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: rook to b1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d7 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: pawn to c3 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: pawn to c4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Fork: knight to e2 (c1)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (h2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Fork: knight to g3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: queen to b1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (a1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (d5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 30 →