Day 357: Hanging piece
Target rating: 907
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. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h1 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: king to a1 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (c2·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to c6 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c1 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4 (f1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (e1·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c1 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (c3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (a1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to c7 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to d1 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to d8 (h8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: knight to e6 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to f1 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to c7 (d5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to c7 (c1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: knight to e7 (d5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 358 →