Day 399: Royal fork
Target rating: 962
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 h5 (e2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·26)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to g5 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to f2 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to f6 (g5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: bishop to d4 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: pawn to g3 (h2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to c6 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to e8 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: king to f2 (f1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to e6 (a6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d3 (e2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to e5 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to g6 (e5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to e6 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c2 (b1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: knight to f5 (e3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c1 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (b7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (h8·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: king to h1 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: king to e1 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to f6 (h5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (f2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 400 →