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Day 302: Setup fork

Lesson of the day

A setup fork is a double attack that exists only because of the unusual starting squares — in classical chess these targets never stand side by side. Look for pairs of undefended pieces on your opponent's back rank and for squares from which a knight or pawn hits both at once. Such forks usually appear within the first moves, before the pieces disperse. In every new position, note right away which starting pieces are defended by no one.

Warm-up

1. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d3 (c2·14)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g7 (g1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: knight to a5 (c4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·46)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h3 (f1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (c3·11)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f4 (f1·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a4 (c3·21)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a7 (b5·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: queen to h4 (f2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b7 (a8·4)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to c7 (c8·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (h8·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: queen to a6 (b7·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4 (b1·4)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: pawn to b6 (c5·5)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: queen to c4 (d4·2)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e8 (e1·12)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to d6 (e5·6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g7 (f6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (c3·2)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: pawn to e5 (d4·18)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: pawn to f4 (g3·11)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to f5 (d3·3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (b4)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: queen to a8 (a4)Shuffle Rating 1150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b5 (b4·6)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: bishop to a6 (c4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: pawn to c6 (b5·6)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: pawn to e4 (e2·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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