Day 32: Hanging piece
Target rating: 649
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 c6 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Fork: rook to c3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to e8 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Fork: knight to e7 (f5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: bishop to e3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (c1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d7 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Fork: bishop to e4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to c3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (c1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Fork: knight to e7 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c7 (d6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Fork: knight to d3 (e5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 33 →