Day 854: Win the pinned piece
Target rating: 1653
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 f7 (d7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: knight to f5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to c7 (b8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: queen to d8 (g8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (h7·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: bishop to f8 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: rook to g5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: bishop to c6 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: rook to g1 (h1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to e5 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: queen to f5 (d3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to h5 (h4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: queen to b6 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to e5 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 3: knight to d8 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: rook to a7 (b7·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: rook to f8 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to g5 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to e6 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e4·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to c6 (f3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (d8·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c6 (c1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to a7 (e3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to c5 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 855 →