Day 448: Royal fork
Target rating: 1026
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: queen to h2 (h1·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·102)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h7 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·53)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d2 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e7 (g5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·62)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3 (c2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to e7 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to e7 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to f8 (f7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to c8 (c7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: bishop to c2 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to f7 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (e3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to g7 (h8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (b7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (g6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (h8·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to f5 (b1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 449 →