Day 851: Royal fork
Target rating: 1796
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. Mate in 2: bishop to g6 (c2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: knight to g5 (f3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: queen to a6 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a8 (a1·10)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: rook to d8 (g8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 2: knight to b6 (a4·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e6 (g4·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 2: queen to e3 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to a4 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Mate in 3: fork on g3Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to g6 (g1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: pawn to d8 (d7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to a8 (g2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to d6 (e5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to f4 (c4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: knight to d8 (e6·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to b7 (d5·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to g6 (h6·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to f8 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to e7 (e5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to f6 (e4·29)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to a4 (b4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to c6 (d6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 852 →