Day 316: Passed pawn
Target rating: 1008
Lesson of the day
A passed pawn has no enemy pawns in front of it or on the neighboring files: only pieces can stop it. Check who can blockade the pawn or catch it with the king — if nobody can, the pawn is worth a whole piece. Push the passer with your pieces supporting it, and put your rook behind it. The beginner's mistake is shoving the pawn forward unprotected, straight into a capture.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d7 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (g3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a5 (b3·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·48)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c2 (d1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d2 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a4 (c3·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e4 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: pawn to f7 (f6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: pawn to h7 (h6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: pawn to a7 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: pawn to d7 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: pawn to d6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to h5 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to f6 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: bishop to f3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: knight to d7 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f6 (d5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: rook to c8 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to c6 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: bishop to f8 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 317 →