Open in the app

The 1000-day course

Day 336: Hanging piece

Target rating: 890

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: bishop to g5 (c1·10)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·52)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (b2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5 (g3·16)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b3 (b1)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·57)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c5 (b3·12)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·24)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (g4·17)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to d4 (b2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·98)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a4 (d1·5)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (f3·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h6 (h1·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: king to h2 (g2·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to g4 (f3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to e6 (g6·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: king to b5Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g4 (g6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f1 (g1·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to f4 (f3·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (d2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: bishop to g4 (f5)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4 (f1·15)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to f2 (f1)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: king to h2 (g1·25)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: queen to a8 (a5·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·14)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (a4·28)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·27)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 337 →