Day 210: Royal fork
Target rating: 720
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. Winning blow: rook to d1 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to e4 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h4 (g3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to a4 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (e4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b4 (e1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·63)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (h1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (g5·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: knight to d6 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (e5·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (b5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (c2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (g1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4 (b1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c4 (e3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to f5 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c1 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: bishop to f2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f3 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (d2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h3 (g2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 211 →