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Day 5: 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 2: rook to d1Shuffle Rating 630Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Fork: knight to d4 (b3)Shuffle Rating 656Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 1: queen to f7 (h5)Shuffle Rating 673Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: queen to f8 (f4)Shuffle Rating 680Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 2: queen to c1Shuffle Rating 617Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Mate in 1: knight to h6Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 1: rook to a5Shuffle Rating 626Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: rook to f8Shuffle Rating 637Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d2Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to b8Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Fork: knight to e7 (c6)Shuffle Rating 666Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to g7 (d4·2)Shuffle Rating 675Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 1: queen to f8 (c5)Shuffle Rating 685Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·2)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e1)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·5)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: rook to e1Shuffle Rating 648Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Fork: knight to e6Shuffle Rating 681Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: rook to d1 (d2)Shuffle Rating 686Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: bishop to g8Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (d5·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: queen to c6 (c5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: knight to g6 (h4·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 6 →