Day 964: Royal fork
Target rating: 2029
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: bishop to e2 (h5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to b3 (d1)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: queen to g3 (g2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to f8 (f2·4)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to d7 (d6·23)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to e5 (h8·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to b4 (a4·3)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to a2 (b2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: pawn to e6 (e5·21)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to g8 (g6·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Core set
11. Fork: rook to d1 (d8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: queen to e3 (c5)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: queen to c4 (g4·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: knight to g3 (e4)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Deflection: queen to a2Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to c4 (d3·12)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to c6 (f3·5)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Pin: rook to e6 (e8)Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (d2·7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 3: rook to a6 (b6)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 3: knight to c6 (b8·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 3: rook to e8 (e7·8)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: rook to e7 (h7·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 3: bishop to c4 (d3·2)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 3: rook to f7 (d7)Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
Challenge
Review
Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!
Day 965 →