Day 13: Royal fork
Target rating: 619
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 a7 (b5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Back-rank mate in 2 on e1 (e5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Back-rank mate in 2 on a1 (a8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 1: queen to e1 (c3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (f5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Fork: bishop to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 1: queen to e3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to e2 (f4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: knight to e2 (c3·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to f5Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Back-rank mate in 1 on d8 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Back-rank mate in 2 on b1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to e1 (h4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: fork on e1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (d5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Back-rank mate in 2 on e1 (e5·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 14 →