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The 1000-day course

Day 91: 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: queen to f4 (d2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·24)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f3 (e2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (e5·7)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (c3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·12)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (c2·3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (b6)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g4 (d1·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2·15)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (f8)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·11)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·10)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·8)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a6 (d3·3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·28)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to f8Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·54)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (d3·5)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: knight to f4Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to b7 (c6·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a2 (a1·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·20)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d2 (c1)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·28)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
27. Skewer: rook to d8 (h8)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: rook to f7 (g7·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c2 (b1·3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: knight to b8 (a6)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 92 →