Day 245: Royal fork
Target rating: 770
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 h6 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c3 (b1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a4 (b3·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·37)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to e4 (c3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d1 (c1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to f3 (g2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (g5·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: knight to c8 (d6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f7 (e5·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: knight to c6 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: bishop to g5 (e3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (f5·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (a4·22)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to f3 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to b5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: king to b2 (c1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e8 (h5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·56)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: king to e2 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f5 (d3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to g6 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 246 →