Day 835: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1781
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: queen to b4 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: rook to e7 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: bishop to h4 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: pawn to e8 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 3: queen to d5 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: knight to c8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: knight to d4 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: rook to b7 (b8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to c8 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to b7 (c6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to d6 (e5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to b8 (g8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: knight to c8 (b6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to e4 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to c6 (b5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to g2 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to f8 (f7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to g5 (h4·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (g4·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to a8 (d8·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: bishop to g6 (d3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to d8 (c6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to g7 (h6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to c7 (b6·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 836 →