Day 23: Hanging piece

Target Rating 635

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.

Types of the dayHanging piece Uncastled king Winning blow

Warm-up

1. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (b2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·14)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

4. Winning blow: bishop to c8Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·26)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

6. Mate in 1: rook to d7Shuffle Rating 775 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6 (e5)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (g1)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·67)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: queen to e3Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (h7·2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

16. Mate in 1: rook to h2 (d2)Shuffle Rating 775 Analysis

Black to move — find the best continuation

17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d8Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (g3·2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·71)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

21. Mate in 1: rook to h8 (f8)Shuffle Rating 777 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

22. Winning blow: pawn to g3Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d7 (d1)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (f4·3)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

25. Winning blow: pawn to f4 (g3·5)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (d4·4)Shuffle Rating 850 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

27. Mate in 1: rook to d4Shuffle Rating 850 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

28. Winning blow: rook to e2Shuffle Rating 920 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: knight to c6 (a7)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

30. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g7Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!