Day 486: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1232
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: knight to g5 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (c7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: rook to c6 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to c7 (g7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to h7 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to h6 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to a8 (c6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: bishop to f3 (e2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (g8·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to e8 (c6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to c6 (c2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to e5 (g4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Fork: knight to f4 (d5·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to a6 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: king to e2 (d1·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to b4 (b2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to f7 (f6·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Pin: queen to h3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: knight to h6 (f7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (a7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to e3 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 487 →