Day 46: Royal fork
Target rating: 664
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 h8 (c3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e7 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (c3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 1: queen to b7 (a6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g4 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e4 (e1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: king to b2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Fork: knight to b4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: knight to d5 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to d4 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: knight to e3 (g4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to d4 (e6·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 1: queen to e7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to c4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (e5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (b2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
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