Day 812: Win the pinned piece
Target rating: 1573
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. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b5 (f1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: queen to c8 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to c5 (c4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: rook to c3 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: king to g2 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: knight to d2 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: rook to b1 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (d5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: bishop to e4 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: bishop to a5 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: rook to d7 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: queen to f6 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: rook to b7 (b8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: rook to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: queen to f3 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (a3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: queen to g6 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 3: queen to f6 (e5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: bishop to c7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to f6 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 3: rook to c7 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: rook to c7 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: queen to e8 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 3: rook to g7 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 813 →