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The 1000-day course

Day 94: Hanging piece

Target rating: 728

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: pawn to d5 (c4·23)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (d4)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (f3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: pawn to d7 (c6)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h5 (d1·12)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3·4)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: knight to c6 (a7·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to h8 (b2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (g5·5)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2·5)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d1·4)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d1Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (g3·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·15)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·25)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·26)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (e5·11)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·50)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·31)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f1 (d1)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·13)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (g1·3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (a4·15)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (a1·4)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: knight to d8 (e6·3)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g3 (h1·2)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e7 (d8)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·9)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·12)Analysis
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White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 95 →