Day 19: Royal fork
Target rating: 628
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 e6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 1: rook to g2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (h8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f8 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: bishop to g6 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Fork: knight to e2 (g3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: knight to c6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to e3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: pawn to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c8 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g6 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e8 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to e7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Skewer: bishop to g5Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 20 →