Day 809: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1716
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: pawn to b7 (a6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 2: rook to c8 (c7·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to h5 (d1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: queen to d5 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: rook to g3 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: queen to e8 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: rook to e3 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: rook to e1 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 2: bishop to e6 (d5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to g5 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to f5 (g4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: knight to a5 (b3·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (f8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to b6 (c7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to h6 (h1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: bishop to f1 (a6)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Pin: rook to f4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g4 (e3·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to b4 (e1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g4 (e3·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to h3 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to g5 (h3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g1 (h1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to h7 (f7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Fork: rook to e1 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 810 →