Day 39: Hanging piece
Target rating: 660
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: knight to f2 (h3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 2: queen to a2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 2: queen to c8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g5·4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 1: knight to h6 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d5·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (h6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c6 (b4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: bishop to d3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 1: queen to f2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 1: knight to f7 (h6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to c6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g6 (b1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c7 (d6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Back-rank mate in 2 on e8 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to h3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 40 →