Open in the app

The 1000-day course

Day 47: Hanging piece

Target rating: 664

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. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (h3·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e7 (e2·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 1: queen to f7 (g6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (a4·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (a2·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (b3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·11)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (f3·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e7 (e3·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a6 (f1)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f1Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e1)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (f4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (h5·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (b2·7)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (h3·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (e2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (a1·11)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (a4·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (h8)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·17)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (d2·4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: knight to c6 (e7)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·90)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: knight to f4 (e2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (h5·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7 (d4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 48 →