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Day 448: 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: queen to h2 (h1·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·102)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a6Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·31)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h7 (h3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h3 (g2·53)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d2 (d1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e7 (g5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·62)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a3 (c2·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Winning blow: queen to e7 (e1)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: queen to e7 (e4)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (e7·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: rook to f8 (f7)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Winning blow: rook to c8 (c7·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e7·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: bishop to c2 (b1·4)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to f7 (e7)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (d4·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c5 (e3·5)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to g7 (h8·2)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (b7·4)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h5 (g6)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (h8·6)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: bishop to f5 (b1·4)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 2: knight to f7 (e5·2)Shuffle Rating 1257Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: queen to d6 (d3·5)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 2: queen to f7 (e7·2)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: king to g2 (g1·9)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (f5·18)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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