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Day 19: 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: bishop to e6 (d5·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 1: rook to g2Shuffle Rating 816Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to g6Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (h8·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (a8)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f8 (g6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5·23)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: bishop to g6 (b1·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: knight to e2 (g3)Shuffle Rating 769Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: knight to c6Shuffle Rating 771Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to e3Shuffle Rating 778Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c7Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: pawn to d7Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c3 (b2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to c8 (c1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g6 (h5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e8 (c6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: pawn to e7Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (e5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b6 (c5·22)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Skewer: bishop to g5Shuffle Rating 767Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c6 (e4·6)Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Fork: bishop to g5Shuffle Rating 877Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
28. Fork: knight to d6 (c4)Shuffle Rating 917Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 1: rook to h8 (b8)Shuffle Rating 764Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Fork: knight to f4Shuffle Rating 762Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 20 →