Day 67: Hanging piece
Target rating: 689
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: queen to a8 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a8 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: pawn to c5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to h5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (d5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to e4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: king to e1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (f3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·26)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to g5 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 68 →