Day 35: Hanging piece
Target rating: 600
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. Mate in 1: queen to h2 (e5·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (b2·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 1: queen to h2 (c7·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: bishop to a8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b7 (c6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: rook to f1 (f5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h5 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a7 (b5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to h2 (f4·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (b1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c7 (b8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Back-rank mate in 2 on e3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f7 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (d4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f7 (e6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 36 →