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Day 579: 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: bishop to g5 (f6)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to g7 (g5·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to h7 (f7)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (e4·20)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to h6 (h1·3)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to d6 (e4·10)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to d6 (d4·3)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to d7 (g7·3)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to b5 (b3·3)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to b6 (b1)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: king to f2 (g2·6)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to h7 (c2·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to d4 (c3·4)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a4 (c5·5)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to f5 (e5)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Castling-960 to the rescue on h1 (f1·9)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: rook to e8 (e4·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Castling-960 to the rescue on g1 (f1·10)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (e4·7)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Castling-960 to the rescue on g1 (f1·11)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (a8)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: rook to a7 (b7·4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: bishop to h7 (b1)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to f6 (e4·21)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (h5·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Back-rank mate in 2 on e1 (e2)Shuffle Rating 1448Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: rook to f8 (f5·5)Shuffle Rating 1480Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Fork: queen to b6Shuffle Rating 1654Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e7 (f6·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: queen to f6 (f5·5)Shuffle Rating 1430Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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