Day 5: Hanging piece
Target rating: 606
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. Mate in 2: rook to d1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Fork: knight to d4 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 1: queen to f7 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: queen to f8 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 2: queen to c1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 1: knight to h6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 1: rook to a5Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: rook to f8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to b8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Fork: knight to e7 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to g7 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 1: queen to f8 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: rook to e1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Fork: knight to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to d1 (d2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 6 →