Day 28: Royal fork
Target rating: 600
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: pawn to f4 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (a1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Discovered attack: knight to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: rook to b8 (b7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: bishop to f6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (a1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c5 (b3·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Fork: knight to e2 (f4·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 2: queen to d1 (d7)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (e4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (g5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (f4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f7 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Fork: knight to d2 (e4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: fork on h5Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a4 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Fork: queen to g4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: deflection on g5Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c4 (d3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g6 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Fork: knight to d5 (c3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 29 →