Day 62: Royal fork
Target rating: 681
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: pawn to d3 (e2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·31)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a6 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (e3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Fork: knight to h5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: knight to f4 (e6)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to d2 (e4·2)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: bishop to d4 (c5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: pawn to d4Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to h1 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·33)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f4 (e2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to d5 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to c4 (d5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 63 →