Day 103: Royal fork
Target rating: 731
Lesson of the day
A royal fork is a fork with check — one of the two targets is the king itself. The check must be answered first, so nobody is left to rescue the second piece. Look for squares where your piece gives check and simultaneously attacks an undefended queen or rook. It is the most reliable fork of all, because your opponent literally has no choice.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·30)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to f5 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (e5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: bishop to a6 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·42)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: king to h2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (c3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (d4·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (h1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to e7 (h4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (d2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: knight to c5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g4 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (d4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (c3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 104 →