Day 492: Win the pinned piece
Target rating: 1240
Lesson of the day
A pinned piece cannot flee, which means you can win it outright by attacking it one more time. Count attackers against defenders: if you outnumber them, the piece is yours. The best extra attacker is a pawn, since it costs less than anything it might capture. Do not rush the capture — build up the pressure first, then harvest.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: rook to e8 (e3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to e6 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to d8 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c7 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to c6 (e8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to e8 (a4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to d4 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f7 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to e6 (d4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (c3·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Discovered attack: queen to d4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (h1·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to d3 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h3 (f5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: king to g1 (h2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: knight to g6 (e7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (c7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (c5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e7 (b4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (d5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 493 →