Day 320: Win the pinned piece
Target rating: 1014
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. Winning blow: queen to e1 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to g6 (b1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to f6 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (h1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: bishop to f5 (b1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to g4 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d3 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to b1 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to h5 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: bishop to e4 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: rook to f6 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to d7 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d7 (d1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to d5 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to e6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d7 (b5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (g2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to b7 (c6·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (a3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to f6 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: rook to e7 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to e2 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 321 →