Day 89: Hanging piece
Target rating: 724
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. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (d4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d2 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·45)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to h8 (c8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·34)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a5 (b4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: pawn to e4 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (h1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c4 (a3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 90 →