Day 381: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1096
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: queen to e7 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to h8 (h2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e2 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to c6 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: rook to d8 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (a3·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f3 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·107)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to c7 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a7 (b8·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a3 (a1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a4 (a2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to g8 (f7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (h3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a5 (a4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (e3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to d2 (a5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (f3·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (c6·10)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c2 (c1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: fork on a4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 3: rook to h6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 382 →