Day 90: Queen fork
Target rating: 726
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. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (f3·13)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·51)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·52)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (a5·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h6 (g5·9)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (h7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a2 (c1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (h3·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Winning blow: rook to e4 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (d5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h7 (h5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (b7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (h8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (g3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h1 (f2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·53)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (c3·17)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b7 (f3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (f3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g1 (h1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 91 →