Day 711: Win the pinned piece
Target rating: 1521
Lesson of the day
A pinned piece cannot flee, which means you can win it outright by attacking it one more time. Count attackers against defenders: if you outnumber them, the piece is yours. The best extra attacker is a pawn, since it costs less than anything it might capture. Do not rush the capture — build up the pressure first, then harvest.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: queen to f3 (f2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to e3 (d2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to c5 (a7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to d2 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c3 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d3 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: bishop to g2 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to d2 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to f6 (d8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (a1·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: rook to c7 (f7·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b7 (a6·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to e7 (h4·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e6 (g4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to c7 (d5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a1 (b1·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to d7 (e5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a5 (a4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a3 (a1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to f3 (f1·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to a5 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (f3·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h3 (g2·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c4 (a4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: king to d2 (c1·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 712 →