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Day 299: 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. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a5 (a1·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (h6·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d2 (b3·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·46)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·45)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·87)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to a6 (b7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e3 (d4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: king to b2 (c1·10)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (e3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: bishop to e7 (f6·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to e7 (c7)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to c7 (d7)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to d8 (g8)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to g7 (g1·5)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to f4 (c1·3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (f5·15)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Skewer: rook to h4 (h8)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Skewer: rook to c1Shuffle Rating 1061Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (a1·5)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to g3 (e3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to h5 (f5)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to e6 (b6·3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to g3 (f4)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (b4)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: queen to g1 (h1·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: queen to f3 (d3·2)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: rook to e7 (e1·12)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2·23)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c8 (b7·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 300 →