Day 550: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1304
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: queen to a8 (a7·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to b8 (d6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g6 (h5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to d8 (c7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to e6 (f7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (e3·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to b6 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h6 (h8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to f8 (a3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: knight to f7 (h6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: knight to g5 (e4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to e6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to c7 (e7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to h4 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (e3·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to f7 (e5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: knight to d2 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to h8 (h5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Castling-960 to the rescue on g8 (f8·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to h3 (g3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to b8 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Castling-960 to the rescue on a1 (d1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Discovered attack: knight to f3 (d4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 551 →