White to move · 1 move · Rating 532
Find checkmate in 1 move.
Show the solution
29.Rxc8#
Ponderchess / Puzzles
Hanging piece puzzles
73 hanging piece puzzles from real games, rated 532 to 2625. Here are 18, from easiest to hardest.
A hanging piece is one that can be captured for free because nothing defends it, or because it is defended fewer times than it is attacked. These puzzles reward the most basic habit in chess: noticing what can be taken.
Most games below master level are decided by pieces left hanging. Spotting your opponent's loose pieces, and keeping your own defended, is worth more than any opening.
How to solve them: Before every move, scan for enemy pieces that are undefended or attacked more times than they are defended. Then check that your capture does not walk into a trap.
18 hanging piece puzzles to solve
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White to move · 2 moves · Rating 581
Find checkmate in 2 moves.
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40.Rxg8+ Re8 41.Rxe8#
Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 605
Find checkmate in 2 moves.
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29...Qxc1+ 30.Qd1 Qxd1#
White to move · 1 move · Rating 702
Find checkmate in 1 move.
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40.Qxc8#
Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 759
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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59...Kxb1 60.g7 Bxg7
Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 845
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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54...Nxc6+ 55.Kxd5 Nxb4+
Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 924
Find checkmate in 2 moves.
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19...Qxd1+ 20.Re1 Qxe1#
White to move · 2 moves · Rating 1072
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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16.Nxd4 Bxd1 17.Nxc6
Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 1255
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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78...Bxh4 79.Kb5 Bd8
Black to move · 2 moves · Rating 1356
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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19...Kxd6 20.Qxb6 axb6
White to move · 3 moves · Rating 1615
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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27.dxe6 Rdxd1+ 28.Bxd1 Rxd1+ 29.Kh2
White to move · 2 moves · Rating 1818
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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7.Nxe4 Qh4+ 8.Nf2
Black to move · 3 moves · Rating 1860
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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29...Rxc8 30.Ra1 Rxc4 31.Rxa5+ bxa5
Black to move · 3 moves · Rating 2027
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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18...Qxd7 19.Nf6+ Rxf6 20.Qxd7 Rxf3
White to move · 2 moves · Rating 2093
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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26.Qxe7 Bxb2+ 27.Nxb2
Black to move · 3 moves · Rating 2270
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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37...Qxa5 38.Qg6+ Kd8 39.Qf6+ gxf6
White to move · 3 moves · Rating 2349
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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30.Nxa8 a3 31.Ne3 a2 32.Nc2
White to move · 2 moves · Rating 2625
Find the best move, then follow the winning continuation.
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38.gxh4 Ne7 39.g3
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Positions from the open Lichess puzzle database (CC0).