Day 84: Hanging piece
Target rating: 600
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 e4 (f3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (a3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d3 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g2 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: pawn to d3 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: knight to f5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a4 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·39)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (a3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·45)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (c3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to g3 (h2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (g5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 85 →