Day 196: Royal fork
Target rating: 706
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 a6 (b5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b5 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (g3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c1 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·59)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·54)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (c1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h2 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to h1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to f5 (c2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to d2 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: knight to d7 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to c5 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h2 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e3 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to c4 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (a7·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·25)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·60)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e3 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (d2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h3 (g2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 197 →