Open in the app

Day 153: 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: pawn to c4 (d3·13)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e4 (e1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f8 (f1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e4 (f3·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (e2·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to g8 (g1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: queen to e4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f1 (a6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (g1·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a3 (c1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: knight to e7 (g6)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to e4 (e5)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (f7)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to b6 (a6)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: knight to f6 (e4·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·24)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b2 (a1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (c2·6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to f1Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (h1·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h4 (e1·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·21)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (g4·6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to c8 (d6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (c1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: queen to b5 (b6)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: knight to b4 (d3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 2: bishop to f5 (b1)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: pawn to c5 (b4·11)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: knight to f1Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 154 →