Day 651: Setup fork
Target rating: 1282
Lesson of the day
A setup fork is a double attack that exists only because of the unusual starting squares — in classical chess these targets never stand side by side. Look for pairs of undefended pieces on your opponent's back rank and for squares from which a knight or pawn hits both at once. Such forks usually appear within the first moves, before the pieces disperse. In every new position, note right away which starting pieces are defended by no one.
Warm-up
1. Winning blow: knight to d6 (b5·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f6 (e4·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (c4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: knight to d7 (f8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to b6 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (g7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to b8 (b7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d5 (a5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to g6 (b1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d5 (e3·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (h1·15)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to c6 (b5·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: knight to d6 (e4·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to b5 (f1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to b7 (b8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to a7 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to d7 (d1·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to f4 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to c7 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f5 (g6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to d5 (c3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (g7·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: queen to d7 (c6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 652 →