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Day 486: 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. Winning blow: knight to g5 (f7)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f3·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to f7 (f2·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (c7·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e2·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: rook to c6 (c4)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to c7 (g7·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to h7 (e4)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to h6 (d2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to a8 (c6·4)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: bishop to f3 (e2·5)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (g8·5)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to e8 (c6·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to c6 (c2·4)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to e5 (g4·3)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Fork: knight to f4 (d5·3)Shuffle Rating 1232Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to a6 (a5)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: king to e2 (d1·20)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to h6 (f4·2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: pawn to b4 (b2·4)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to f7 (f6·11)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Pin: queen to h3Shuffle Rating 1299Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: knight to h6 (f7·2)Shuffle Rating 1232Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (a7·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to e3 (b6)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (f6)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: king to e2 (f1·14)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: knight to e5 (d3·21)Shuffle Rating 1560Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: king to g3 (h2·2)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Castling-960 to the rescue on d8 (e8)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 487 →