Day 624: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1404
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: knight to e6 (c5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to c5 (e4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to c7 (c6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (d4·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f5 (b1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e1·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to d8 (g5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to a8 (a7·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to h6 (f5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: pawn to g3 (f2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: rook to f5 (f1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: rook to g4 (g1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to d6 (d1·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to g7 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to a8 (d5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to h6 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (f8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to a7 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Skewer: bishop to a4 (d7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to e7 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: rook to g6 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to h6 (d2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: rook to c7 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to e5 (c3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to e7 (e3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 625 →