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The 1000-day course

Day 909: Hanging piece

Target rating: 1916

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: rook to e8 (e1·11)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: queen to d7 (d5·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (c4·22)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 3: rook to a7 (b7·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: knight to c8 (e7·7)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: bishop to c6 (g2·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to d8 (f6·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (c7)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to a5 (a3·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to h6 (h8)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: queen to d6 (f4·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: rook to e6 (e1·27)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to b7 (b1·13)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to e7 (f7·9)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: pawn to c5 (d4·15)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: rook to c8 (b8)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 3: queen to h7 (h4·6)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: rook to a7 (a4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 3: rook to b7 (d7·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: rook to f7 (f6·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 3: rook to f7 (f6·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 3: rook to a8 (a4)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: bishop to g7 (e5·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: queen to d7 (b5·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 3: rook to g7 (g4·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (c1·3)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (d7)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 3: fork on b5Analysis
h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Black to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Pin: rook to d1 (d2)Analysis
h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Black to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: rook to a4 (b4·2)Analysis
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 910 →