Day 73: Royal fork
Target rating: 699
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: knight to a1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a5 (b3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to a3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (g1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to c7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (f6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (d3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 2: fork on h4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: knight to f3 (e5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 2: fork on b8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: queen to f3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to c6 (e7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·39)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g3 (h2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·28)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (f3·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (e4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 74 →