Day 731: Queen fork
Target rating: 1571
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. Winning blow: bishop to f4 (c1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to c6 (d4·11)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to f5 (d6·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to e1 (f1·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: bishop to a6 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to a5 (a2·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: knight to c8 (b6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: knight to d6 (b5·14)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to h7 (h8·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: pawn to b7 (b6·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: queen to d4 (a1·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f6 (c3·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: queen to c7 (g3·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: bishop to a6 (f1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f6 (h5·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Fork: rook to d8 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (b2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 3: queen to b5 (a5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 2: queen to b6 (a6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: queen to g8 (c4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a8 (a7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Fork: queen to a5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: rook to a4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: king to g1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 2: pawn to e6 (e5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 732 →