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Day 123: Hanging piece

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 b6 (a5·16)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (g4·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·24)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·16)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·64)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·18)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e2 (e1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·86)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b1 (c1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·17)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·25)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e2Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g3 (f2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3 (b1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·79)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3·14)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·25)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·80)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a7 (f2·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·82)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to d1Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·65)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (a6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 2: rook to h5Shuffle Rating 917Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e1·3)Shuffle Rating 963Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 2: queen to a6Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·24)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (d3·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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