Day 946: Setup fork
Target rating: 1996
Lesson of the day
A setup fork is a double attack that exists only because of the unusual starting squares — in classical chess these targets never stand side by side. Look for pairs of undefended pieces on your opponent's back rank and for squares from which a knight or pawn hits both at once. Such forks usually appear within the first moves, before the pieces disperse. In every new position, note right away which starting pieces are defended by no one.
Warm-up
1. Chess960 tactic on h7 (h4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Chess960 tactic on b8 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Chess960 tactic on f8 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Chess960 tactic on d7 (f5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Chess960 tactic on c8 (c7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Chess960 tactic on f5 (d6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Chess960 tactic on g7 (g4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (a3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Chess960 tactic on b8 (b5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (e5·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Chess960 tactic on f5Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Chess960 tactic on e6 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Chess960 tactic on d6 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Chess960 tactic on f8Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Chess960 tactic on c7 (c6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Chess960 tactic on c5 (d4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Chess960 tactic on b7 (a8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Chess960 tactic on c5 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to b7 (a7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Chess960 tactic on c4 (b3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Chess960 tactic on f6 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Chess960 tactic on f6 (e4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: queen to b2 (b6)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: rook to d6 (h6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 3: queen to f8 (h8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
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