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Day 39: 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. Mate in 1: knight to f2 (h3)Shuffle Rating 846Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 2: queen to a2Shuffle Rating 820Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·11)Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 2: queen to c8Shuffle Rating 800Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g5·4)Shuffle Rating 821Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 1: knight to h6 (g4)Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g1Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d5·3)Shuffle Rating 803Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (h6·2)Shuffle Rating 825Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c6 (b4·3)Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: bishop to d3Shuffle Rating 806Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 1: queen to f2Shuffle Rating 829Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 1: knight to f7 (h6·2)Shuffle Rating 854Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to c6Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g6 (b1·6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c7 (d6·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Back-rank mate in 2 on e8 (e2·2)Shuffle Rating 809Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to h3Shuffle Rating 830Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 1: rook to g7Shuffle Rating 901Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: rook to f8 (f7)Shuffle Rating 921Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (c4·30)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Back-rank mate in 2 on b1 (b8)Shuffle Rating 798Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 40 →