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Day 253: Remove the defender

Lesson of the day

Removing the defender is the straightforward plan: capture the guard first, then take what it guarded. Unlike deflection, the defender is not lured away — it is traded off or destroyed on the spot. Stare at the target you crave and ask who defends it, and whether that defender can be profitably eaten. Count the whole capture sequence, not just the first move — the trade must pay off at the end.

Warm-up

1. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f1 (e1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a5 (b4·11)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a6 (f1·10)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5 (g3·14)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f3 (e2·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f2 (e1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·59)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·75)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (c3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (a1·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: bishop to d6 (g3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: rook to e1 (f1·2)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to d7 (b5·2)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·17)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g1 (c1)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Fork: knight to g6 (f8)Shuffle Rating 1004Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Pin: knight to h5Shuffle Rating 1004Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Fork: knight to f1Shuffle Rating 1006Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e1 (c3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2 (f1·6)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to e1Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to g1 (h1·3)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: king to a1Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: rook to a6 (f6)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: pawn to e4 (d3·5)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: bishop to a6 (f1·6)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: rook to b1 (c1·6)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (d4·23)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (e2·5)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: queen to d4 (d1)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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