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Day 492: 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: rook to e8 (e3·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to e6 (d6)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to d8 (d6)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c7 (f4·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to c6 (e8·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to e8 (a4)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to d4 (g1·2)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f7 (f6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to e6 (d4·6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (c3·19)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Discovered attack: queen to d4Shuffle Rating 1230Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (h1·11)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to d3 (f1·2)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h3 (f5·3)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: king to g1 (h2·3)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (c4·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: knight to g6 (e7·3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (c3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (c7)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (c5·3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (g4·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e7 (b4·4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (d1)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (d5·4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (c3·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: pawn to a7 (a6·8)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: knight to b4 (d3·3)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: queen to g4 (g5·3)Shuffle Rating 1560Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: queen to e5 (d5·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: rook to c7 (c1·15)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 493 →