Day 121: Queen fork
Target rating: 760
Lesson of the day
The queen strikes along files, ranks and diagonals, so she forks more often than any other piece. Look for a square where the queen attacks two undefended targets at once — most often a check combined with a loose piece. Diagonal blows are especially venomous: a slanting check that also eyes a rook in the corner is the classic of the genre. Remember that both targets must be unprotected, or your «fork» is just a shot into the air.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (g3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (e4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·28)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·83)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·82)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·84)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3 (c2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to h6 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to g7 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to e7 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to c2 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: knight to d5 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f7 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g1 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·45)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d6 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h6 (g5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 122 →