Day 858: Hanging piece
Target rating: 1813
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 g7 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: queen to b5 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: rook to c4 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: pawn to c8 (c7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f3 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: queen to d8 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 3: bishop to e6 (c8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: queen to c8 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 3: king to c2 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: rook to g3 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: pawn to e4 (d3·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: bishop to g5 (d2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to h3 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to c5 (d4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: bishop to g7 (e5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to g8 (e8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (b8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to f4 (e3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to b8 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to a8 (a5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to g8 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to h7 (h6·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to c5 (d3·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to c6 (a6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: queen to d5 (c6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 859 →