Day 347: Royal fork
Target rating: 1048
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 h3 (g2·50)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g1 (f1·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f5 (b1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (c3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (a1·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: pawn to g4 (g2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g8 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to g2 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (d5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (e3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e7 (e1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to a7 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to f6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g6 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (c8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g6 (g7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: rook to h8 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Fork: queen to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Fork: knight to e8 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (h3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 348 →