Day 66: Royal fork
Target rating: 688
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 h3 (g2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5 (g3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to c3 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to f3 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to c6Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Fork: rook to d1Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to d1 (g4·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to f6 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: rook to g7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to e7 (f5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: knight to f2Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (f3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4 (e1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 67 →