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Day 22: 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 a8 (e4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: knight to e4 (c3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e8 (d6·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (d4·62)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a8 (b6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 1: rook to a6Shuffle Rating 805Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: pawn to d5Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g7Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to f7Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e1·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to b8 (g3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (c4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h6 (f4·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c8 (b6·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: bishop to d3Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b3 (a2·20)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b8Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: rook to d5Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: bishop to b8 (f4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (h5·11)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 1: knight to d6Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 1: rook to h2 (h5)Shuffle Rating 912Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: bishop to e3 (g1·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 1: queen to h4Shuffle Rating 774Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (b5·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 23 →