Day 406: Win the pinned piece
Target rating: 970
Lesson of the day
A pinned piece cannot flee, which means you can win it outright by attacking it one more time. Count attackers against defenders: if you outnumber them, the piece is yours. The best extra attacker is a pawn, since it costs less than anything it might capture. Do not rush the capture — build up the pressure first, then harvest.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: king to e1 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to h5 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to g7 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to e5 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to c1 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to a6 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: king to b2 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: king to a1 (b1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: king to b2 (c1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to g5 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to e5 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d6 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (g8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (g6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to g7 (h6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: pawn to g3 (g2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (a8·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to c3 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to f6 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (e1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (f3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d2 (d1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (a8·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (a8·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 407 →