Day 61: Queen fork
Target rating: 680
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 g4 (h3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (h5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·16)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c6 (a5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a4 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to b7 (a7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to e8 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (b2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to f6 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a7 (a5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to h5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f5 (g3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 62 →