Day 293: Hanging piece
Target rating: 984
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. Winning blow: rook to h6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d1 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (a1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h7 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·46)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: knight to b6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to h8 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (g7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4 (e1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to h5 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b2 (d3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·36)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to f7 (g5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (h1·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (e4·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to e1 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: knight to e7 (f5·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to b3 (c2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to b6 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·38)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 294 →