Open in the app

Day 140: 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: bishop to g4 (e2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c8 (c1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·51)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c3 (a1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·11)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: king to b1Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·24)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (b5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·100)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a2 (a1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: queen to a8 (d8)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e4 (h1·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a4 (b5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3·6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3 (b1·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: knight to e5 (f7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·59)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: knight to f5 (g3·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f8 (b4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (c7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a6 (b5·9)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (a1·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·54)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 1: queen to h1 (h4)Shuffle Rating 878Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·53)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h4 (h1·20)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·15)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·32)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 141 →