Day 153: Royal fork
Target rating: 795
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: pawn to c4 (d3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e4 (e1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (f3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to g8 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to e4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f1 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (g1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a3 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: knight to e7 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to e4 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to b6 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to f6 (e4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·24)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b2 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (c2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to f1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (h1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h4 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (g4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to c8 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 154 →