Day 476: Development punish
Target rating: 1066
Lesson of the day
Punishing lazy development: half of your opponent's army is asleep on its starting squares, which means you outnumber him where the fight is. Count not the pieces on the board but the pieces in play — if five or more of his pieces have never moved, look for a forcing attack. The sign is a development lead plus open lines toward his king. Strike immediately: give him two quiet moves and the advantage evaporates.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h4 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b4 (c2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h2 (h1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e3 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b5 (d3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h4 (h1·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (d3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·32)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e1 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: pawn to h4 (h2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: king to f1 (e1·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to e3 (f2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: pawn to e6 (e5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to c2 (c1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: king to e2 (d1·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c4 (c1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to b6 (a7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to e1 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to b5 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to b2 (a2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to d5 (d1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to b8 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g3 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: queen to c6 (b7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 477 →