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The 1000-day course

Day 403: Hanging piece

Target rating: 1115

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: pawn to e3 (d2·7)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d7 (b5·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: pawn to e7 (d6·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to c5 (c1·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (h4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4 (a6·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c7 (d6·7)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to g2 (f2·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to e4 (e1·5)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (d4·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (c1·8)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to b8 (f4·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to g7 (g3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6 (d3·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: pawn to g3 (f2·5)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a5 (a2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: pawn to e7 (d6·8)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2·32)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to f3 (g2·17)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to b5 (d7)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to c5 (b5·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f4 (e2·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (e4·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to d3 (c2·16)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to d8 (d1·15)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (b4·5)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 2: queen to c2 (f5)Analysis
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Black to move — find the best continuation
28. Castling-960 to the rescue on b1 (d1·11)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: bishop to g6 (b1·8)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: queen to b2 (b1)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 404 →