Day 833: Win the pinned piece
Target rating: 1626
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. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: bishop to d5 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to c4 (a4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: rook to g8 (c8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to c8 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: queen to e5 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: rook to c1 (b1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 2: queen to e7 (g5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: king to h1 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to d8 (c8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: rook to d4 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g8 (g3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: bishop to b3 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to f1 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: knight to b6 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: king to b2 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: rook to a7 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: queen to a5 (d8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 3: rook to d7 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: queen to b7 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: knight to g8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: knight to h4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: queen to d7 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a4 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 834 →