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Day 347: 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 h3 (g2·50)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g1 (f1·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (g2·23)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f5 (b1·10)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (c3·13)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e5 (a1·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: pawn to g4 (g2·3)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to g8 (g1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to g2 (g3·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·21)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5·17)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e7 (d5·14)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (e3·3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e7 (e1·4)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: queen to a7 (a6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Mate in 2: queen to f6 (e5)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g6 (g8)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d8 (c8·2)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g6 (g7)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: rook to h8 (h4)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Fork: queen to f7Shuffle Rating 1078Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Mate in 2: queen to d8 (a5)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to c8 (d7)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Fork: knight to e8 (d6)Shuffle Rating 1081Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (h3·2)Shuffle Rating 1090Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·26)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 2: bishop to c7 (a5)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 2: queen to g6 (e6)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: king to e3 (d2·5)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g1 (f1·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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