Day 948: Royal fork
Target rating: 1996
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. Chess960 tactic on d5 (d4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Chess960 tactic on d6 (f5·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Chess960 tactic on d4Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Chess960 tactic on g4 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Chess960 tactic on b3Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Chess960 tactic on g6 (g3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Chess960 tactic on d5 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h7 (g6·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Chess960 tactic on h7 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Chess960 tactic on d3 (f1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Fork: knight to c6 (e5·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: knight to a7 (b5·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to b5 (e2·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: knight to h7 (f6·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Pin: queen to d7Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Chess960 tactic on e5 (a1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Chess960 tactic on c5 (e3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: king to h3 (g2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to h6 (f6·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: king to g2 (f1·20)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Chess960 tactic on e3 (f4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: king to c1 (b1·27)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Chess960 tactic on d7 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: king to g1 (h2·6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (f7·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 949 →