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Day 997: Winning blow

Lesson of the day

A winning blow is a forced material gain that does not fit a single textbook motif. The general tactical recipe applies: spot loose pieces, an awkwardly placed king, overloaded lines. Go through the forcing moves in order of violence — checks, captures, threats — because most combinations start with one of them. Do not judge by feel: calculate the concrete line until the outcome is beyond doubt.

Warm-up

1. Attack on the uncastled king: king to a2 (b1·5)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: king to b1 (c2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: king to f1 (g1·19)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: king to b2 (c1·15)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: king to c2 (d1·9)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: king to e1 (d1·10)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (e3)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: king to g2 (f1·8)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: king to c1 (d1·7)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: king to d3 (e2·3)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: bishop to e1 (f2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d1 (c1·6)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to d3 (e2·3)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: king to b1 (c2·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to d2 (d1·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: king to b1 (a1·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: king to d2 (c1·14)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: king to h3 (g2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e2 (d1·6)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: king to c2 (b1·6)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: king to f2 (g2·4)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: king to e2 (e1·11)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to a3 (b3)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: king to c2 (d1·11)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: king to h1 (g1·14)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f1 (g2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: king to d1 (e1·10)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2 (g1·10)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: king to a2 (b2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: king to g5Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 998 →