Day 440: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1174
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: king to g1 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: king to a2 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to c4 (g8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: king to b1 (a2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: knight to e7 (f5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: king to a1 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to f5 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d1 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: bishop to e7 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: knight to c1 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (h7·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to h8 (f8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·32)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to b3 (a4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to b8 (a7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: king to h1 (g1·30)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: pawn to b7 (c6·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to f4 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to d4 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to d7 (d6·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to c1 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to h8 (h1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: pawn to f4 (g3·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: rook to g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to f7 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 441 →