Day 601: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1368
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: rook to d3 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to f5 (g6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to b4 (e1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to f1 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to c8 (d8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e3 (d2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b5 (a4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7 (h6·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to a8 (d5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: knight to h5 (f6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to f7 (h7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: king to e3 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to f7 (f4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (f3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to f8 (d6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to g7 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (d8·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (b5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: rook to g8 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e7 (g5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to f6 (b2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to b8 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 602 →