Day 22: Royal fork
Target rating: 633
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 a8 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to e4 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e8 (d6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·62)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a8 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 1: rook to a6Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: pawn to d5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to b8 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (f4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c8 (b6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to d3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to d5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: bishop to b8 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (h5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 23 →