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Day 888: 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: queen to d5 (g2·2)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to a7 (a1·9)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to h4 (g2)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c7 (b8·5)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to c5 (h5)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to f7 (e5·15)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to e4 (a8)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to b7 (a6·9)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to e6 (c8·3)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: knight to c6 (e5·29)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: rook to h4 (h3·4)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: bishop to c5 (g1·11)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: king to c1 (d1·18)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to e5 (a1·11)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to c7 (c6·6)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 3: queen to d5 (f3·2)Shuffle Rating 1860Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to f3 (d3·3)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: rook to b7 (b1·5)Shuffle Rating 1860Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: knight to c7 (b5·10)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: queen to g8 (g5·2)Shuffle Rating 1860Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: rook to f8 (e8·4)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 3: rook to b8 (b6)Shuffle Rating 1860Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to c6 (c5·7)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: queen to d6 (f4·2)Shuffle Rating 1860Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: knight to d6 (e4·20)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b3 (d1·5)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Pin: knight to e6Shuffle Rating 2157Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: knight to d4 (e2·4)Shuffle Rating 2200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 2: queen to h4 (g5·2)Shuffle Rating 1869Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
30. Mate in 3: queen to c5 (b4)Shuffle Rating 1860Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 889 →