Day 113: Royal fork
Target rating: 747
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 b5 (c4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·36)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (a4·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b4 (d3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·71)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: bishop to e7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: bishop to h4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g7 (h6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6 (h2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·38)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a3 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: king to f2 (g1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·77)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (b1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (a3·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 114 →