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Day 46: 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 h8 (c3·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e7 (c5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d4 (e3·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (c3·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Mate in 1: queen to b7 (a6)Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g4 (d1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (a3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e4 (e1·8)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f7 (b3·2)Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: king to b2Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: knight to b4Shuffle Rating 865Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: knight to d5 (e7)Shuffle Rating 865Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to d4 (f3)Shuffle Rating 868Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: knight to e3 (g4)Shuffle Rating 870Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to d4 (e6·2)Shuffle Rating 875Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (d5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to f4 (f1·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 1: queen to e7Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to c4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c7Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b8 (e5·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (b2·2)Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h7Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (f3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h8 (a1·15)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: bishop to d6 (e5)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 2: pawn to c4Shuffle Rating 939Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (d8)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d7 (d3·3)Shuffle Rating 850Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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