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Day 278: Win the pinned piece

Lesson of the day

A pinned piece cannot flee, which means you can win it outright by attacking it one more time. Count attackers against defenders: if you outnumber them, the piece is yours. The best extra attacker is a pawn, since it costs less than anything it might capture. Do not rush the capture — build up the pressure first, then harvest.

Warm-up

1. Winning blow: bishop to c3 (b2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (a4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (a3·13)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h4 (g3·9)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4 (f1·10)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·87)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·21)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·42)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (d4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to e4 (c2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: queen to d4 (f6)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: rook to c5 (c1·3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to e8 (d8·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a5 (a4)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to b4 (a5·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b3 (a4)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to g3 (h3·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to f6 (h6·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to d6 (c7)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to e1 (e5)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to c6 (f6)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to d6 (d2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to b2 (a2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to f6 (e8)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to h5 (h1·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 1: pawn to g5 (g4)Shuffle Rating 1193Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3 (c2·6)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: king to g1 (h1·7)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g2 (f3·4)Shuffle Rating 1110Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: queen to g7 (h7)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 279 →