Day 774: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1653
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. Mate in 3: queen to g5 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: bishop to e3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a5 (b3·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to b7 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: pawn to a8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: queen to e7 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e3 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (b2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f6 (a1·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to f8 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to g6 (c6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h7 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to d7 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: rook to b8 (b1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: bishop to c6 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (a3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: king to c5Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to f5 (f2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to e7 (c7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to e6 (c5·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 1: pin on g6 (e5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to e6 (f6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: knight to d6 (e4·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 775 →