Day 315: Hanging piece
Target rating: 856
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: knight to a2 (c1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to g1 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to f5 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (h3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c5 (b3·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a4 (d1·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·47)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to g6 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a8 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (d4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a1 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·77)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to a4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to e1 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (a2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to h4 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h1 (g2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to g2 (h3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to b5 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to e1 (d1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to e3 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to f2 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: knight to c4 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 316 →