Day 122: Royal fork
Target rating: 761
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 f4 (d3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to g6 (h4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a4 (c3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·83)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to g8 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b3 (c2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (e5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h5 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (e5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: rook to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: knight to e7 (f5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to a7 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: pawn to d4 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a3 (a1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d8 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (g3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c2 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·34)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 123 →