Day 83: Hanging piece
Target rating: 715
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. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (a5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·43)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h2 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b5 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c5 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: knight to h2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h4 (g3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e4 (e1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (e2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·38)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a5 (b3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 84 →