Open in the app

Day 14: 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. Back-rank mate in 2 on b1 (b2)Shuffle Rating 689Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·7)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Back-rank mate in 2 on b1 (b3)Shuffle Rating 698Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·4)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·6)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (e5·3)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (h5·3)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·16)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·8)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·8)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (a4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to d1Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d5Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·7)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·9)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·10)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·17)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·18)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·9)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (d5·2)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (e5·4)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·19)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 1: bishop to h2Shuffle Rating 824Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
27. Win the hanging king on c6Shuffle Rating 842Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: knight to d5 (c3·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Fork: bishop to c5Shuffle Rating 732Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (g5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 15 →