Day 182: Royal fork
Target rating: 691
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 f5 (e4·29)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g2 (h1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·56)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: bishop to a4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·52)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to h3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c4 (d2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: bishop to h8 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to d6 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b6 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to b4 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c8 (c1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b4 (d3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·47)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c3 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to b5 (a4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e5 (a1·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d2 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: knight to c5 (b7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 183 →