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Day 679: 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: pawn to g3 (h2·13)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: pawn to f7 (e6·3)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: rook to e6 (e1·11)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: bishop to b6 (g1·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: rook to a1 (b1·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: pawn to c8 (c7·2)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to c8 (c1·8)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: queen to f6 (h8·4)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: knight to c4 (a3)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to d6 (c6·5)Shuffle Rating 1280Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: rook to g6 (f6)Shuffle Rating 1340Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to e7 (d6·4)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to f6 (g7·3)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g7 (f7)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to d4 (c6·3)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to c7 (b7·4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to g6 (c2·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: queen to h7 (h5·4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (d4·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to e6 (g6)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: knight to d6 (c4·3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: queen to a7 (a5·4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to e7 (e4·3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: king to e2 (f1·13)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: queen to h7 (c7)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: queen to d4 (d2·3)Shuffle Rating 1560Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: rook to h4Shuffle Rating 1586Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 3: queen to a5 (d2·3)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: king to c2 (b2·5)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: king to h1 (g2·3)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 680 →