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Day 13: Royal fork

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. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a7 (b5·2)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (d5·2)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Back-rank mate in 2 on e1 (e5)Shuffle Rating 665Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (e4)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Back-rank mate in 2 on a1 (a8)Shuffle Rating 669Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g6Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 1: queen to e1 (c3)Shuffle Rating 676Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g7 (f5·8)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Back-rank mate in 2 on d1 (d4)Shuffle Rating 682Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·5)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: bishop to f7Shuffle Rating 709Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 1: queen to e3Shuffle Rating 710Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to e2 (f4)Shuffle Rating 716Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: knight to e2 (c3·2)Shuffle Rating 717Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to f5Shuffle Rating 718Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Back-rank mate in 1 on d8 (d4)Shuffle Rating 683Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (c5·6)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Back-rank mate in 2 on b1Shuffle Rating 684Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·13)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to e1 (h4)Shuffle Rating 684Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·14)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: fork on e1Shuffle Rating 684Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (d5·3)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Back-rank mate in 2 on e1 (e5·2)Shuffle Rating 685Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·15)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 2: knight to f6Shuffle Rating 803Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Fork: bishop to g4Shuffle Rating 821Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: queen to h6 (h3·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 1: queen to e1 (e4·2)Shuffle Rating 699Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
30. Fork: knight to b3 (d2)Shuffle Rating 707Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 14 →