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Day 527: 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: bishop to c5 (d4)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (a4·3)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (e4·15)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: pawn to e4 (f3·11)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (d5·2)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to h2 (h7·2)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to c7 (c3·3)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·39)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f6 (d5·10)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (e4·16)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: rook to d6 (d5·4)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: pawn to d7 (c6·9)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: rook to d8 (b8)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: bishop to c6 (h1·5)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to e5 (e1·7)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (f6)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to a7 (a6·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to d7 (d3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e2·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (d4)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (a6)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: queen to h7 (c2·7)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to f4 (e2·3)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: bishop to f6 (a1)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (c3·4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (f2·6)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·22)Shuffle Rating 1420Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: knight to d2 (b1·3)Shuffle Rating 1610Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: knight to a3 (c4)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·119)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 528 →