Day 82: Royal fork
Target rating: 713
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. Winning blow: pawn to c3 (d2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (a1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c5 (b3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (f3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d1Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (f4·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·18)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Fork: knight to e7 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: knight to e2 (f4·3)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: rook to c7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Discovered attack: knight to f3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to d5 (f4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g4 (d1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4 (b3·19)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: king to c2 (b1·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·41)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a4 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·42)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to d8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4 (g3·29)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 83 →