Day 56: 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: pawn to d4 (e3·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: pawn to e6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: knight to e6 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: pawn to d4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (e5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a5 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: knight to e4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e8 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (g3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to c7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to b6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h7 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (f3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 57 →