Day 63: 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 h3 (g2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to g8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f5 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: pawn to b6 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g2 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e3 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 64 →