Day 137: Royal fork
Target rating: 785
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: bishop to e3 (c1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·76)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2 (g1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·37)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: knight to h5 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (d4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a5 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c6 (e5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: pawn to d3 (c2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: knight to b6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: king to a1 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (c5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to h6 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (g4·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to f1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g3 (f2·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b4 (c2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·48)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to g3 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e6 (c8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 138 →