Day 299: Win the pinned piece
Target rating: 984
Lesson of the day
A pinned piece cannot flee, which means you can win it outright by attacking it one more time. Count attackers against defenders: if you outnumber them, the piece is yours. The best extra attacker is a pawn, since it costs less than anything it might capture. Do not rush the capture — build up the pressure first, then harvest.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a5 (a1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (h6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d2 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·46)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·45)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·87)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to a6 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e3 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: king to b2 (c1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: bishop to e7 (f6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to e7 (c7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to c7 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to d8 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to g7 (g1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to f4 (c1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (f5·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Skewer: rook to h4 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Skewer: rook to c1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (a1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to g3 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to h5 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to e6 (b6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to g3 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 300 →