Day 579: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1348
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: bishop to g5 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to g7 (g5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to h7 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (e4·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to h6 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to d6 (e4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to d6 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to d7 (g7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to b5 (b3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to b6 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: king to f2 (g2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to h7 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to d4 (c3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a4 (c5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to f5 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Castling-960 to the rescue on h1 (f1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Castling-960 to the rescue on g1 (f1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (e4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Castling-960 to the rescue on g1 (f1·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: rook to a7 (b7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: bishop to h7 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to f6 (e4·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (h5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 580 →