Day 204: Bishop fork
Target rating: 860
Lesson of the day
A bishop fork happens when the bishop lands where two diagonals cross and attacks a target on each of them. Both victims must stand on the bishop's color — that is the first thing to verify. Scan for loose enemy pieces that share the color of squares with their own king or queen. A common sin is placing your own pieces on squares of one color and handing your opponent exactly this geometry.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (c2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (e2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (h1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h4 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c7 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e4 (e1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (f4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (b5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (h1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g5 (e3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b5 (f1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Fork: knight to e2 (c3·4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c8 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·39)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to h8 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: rook to h8 (c8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Fork: rook to e5 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d2 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g6 (h5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: bishop to g3 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (b2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 205 →