Day 56: Hanging piece

Target Rating 600

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.

Types of the dayHanging piece Uncastled king Winning blow

Warm-up

1. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·11)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

2. Winning blow: pawn to e6 (d5·2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (d2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (b2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

5. Winning blow: knight to e6 (c5)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·4)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

7. Winning blow: pawn to d4Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (e5·3)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

9. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d4Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·12)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a5 (b3)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (e1)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (a1)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

14. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (f4·2)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d3Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

16. Winning blow: knight to e4Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e8 (b5)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (g3·3)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

19. Winning blow: bishop to c7Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

20. Winning blow: pawn to b6Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h7 (h5)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (f3·4)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b2 (a1)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·7)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b5Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·8)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

27. Mate in 2: rook to h6Shuffle Rating 866 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

28. Discovered attack: bishop to f7 (c4·2)Shuffle Rating 914 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h4 (e1)Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

30. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5Shuffle Rating 780 Analysis

White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!