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Day 8: 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 c1 (c8)Shuffle Rating 686Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·7)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (d4)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e2)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 1: knight to a7Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g5)Shuffle Rating 637Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 2: rook to e1 (e8)Shuffle Rating 698Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (h5)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 1: rook to a3Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: queen to f4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: king to e2Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f8Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·3)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (c2)Shuffle Rating 639Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·3)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (b8)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 1: queen to a6Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (d5·3)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: queen to g6Shuffle Rating 642Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·8)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e5)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (a1·2)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 2: rook to f8 (f2)Shuffle Rating 763Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: rook to f8Shuffle Rating 890Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: pawn to f6 (g5·3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: knight to d5Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Mate in 1: knight to b6Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 9 →