Day 51: Hanging piece
Target rating: 664
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 e4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: bishop to g6 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: rook to d1 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (h5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to a6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e3 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to e4 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 52 →