Day 132: Queen fork
Target rating: 777
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: knight to h8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a4 (a1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g2 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: bishop to c1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (c2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (c2·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d5 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·38)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g6 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to d6 (d2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to c6 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to b5 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·30)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (h5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·29)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to d1 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a6 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: bishop to c3 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h3 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to b5 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 133 →