Day 108: Royal fork
Target rating: 739
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: pawn to d5 (e4·60)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (h7·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (h7·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a6 (b5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: king to b2 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·66)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a7 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to h8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (d5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (d4·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: knight to b6 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (f5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·61)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g8 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·67)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: bishop to d4 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to h8 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (e4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (h3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 109 →