Day 8: Hanging piece
Target rating: 611
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 2: rook to c1 (c8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 1: knight to a7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 2: rook to e1 (e8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 1: rook to a3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to f4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: king to e2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (b8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 1: queen to a6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (d5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: queen to g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 9 →