Day 70: 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: bishop to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to e5 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h4 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to b3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: king to f2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (c4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (a5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (e5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: pawn to f3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (c8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 71 →