Day 49: Hanging piece
Target rating: 600
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: bishop to a6 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a7 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h7 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g6 (b1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to e3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to b8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to h8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c4 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (a1·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (g2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to g5 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (a1·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to c3 (b2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d8 (g5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 50 →