Day 57: Queen fork
Target rating: 673
Lesson of the day
The queen strikes along files, ranks and diagonals, so she forks more often than any other piece. Look for a square where the queen attacks two undefended targets at once — most often a check combined with a loose piece. Diagonal blows are especially venomous: a slanting check that also eyes a rook in the corner is the classic of the genre. Remember that both targets must be unprotected, or your «fork» is just a shot into the air.
Warm-up
1. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g2 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g5 (h3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to f6 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to f8 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c6 (g2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a8 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: bishop to e7 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: knight to g6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to f4 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h4 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (c4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h5 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: pawn to d3 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c7 (b6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 58 →