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Day 126: 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: knight to c4 (a5·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·25)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (f3·9)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (e4·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·85)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (f5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: bishop to b6Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·34)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (e3·8)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to c4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: pawn to b3 (a2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (a1·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h7 (h6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·35)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f4 (f1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·86)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a4 (c3·19)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b6 (a4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·26)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to f6 (g5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (d4·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to a5Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·90)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h4 (g3·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (h4·20)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a4 (c3·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: bishop to d1 (e2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: knight to e8 (c7)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a8 (h1·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h4 (f2·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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