Day 224: Royal fork
Target rating: 742
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 (h1·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (g4·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c8 (a7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·73)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f7 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (e2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d4 (d1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: king to d2 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c6 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (e5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: knight to d6 (e8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (b5·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (g5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f1 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h2 (f3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (h1·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4 (f1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b4 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f2 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: pawn to d4 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·32)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a8 (h1·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 225 →