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Day 474: 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. Winning blow: queen to b7 (b5·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: queen to d4 (d3·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (g2·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: rook to f2 (e2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: bishop to d6 (c5)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to g8 (e6)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to f3 (f1·6)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: rook to g6 (g1·3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: rook to b4 (b3)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to b7 (b8·2)Shuffle Rating 1010Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: knight to g6 (e7)Shuffle Rating 1214Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: queen to e6 (d6·2)Shuffle Rating 1217Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: queen to c5 (c6)Shuffle Rating 1206Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·21)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Mate in 2: knight to f2Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (c3·10)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: bishop to e5 (c3·5)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: queen to f6 (f2·5)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: pawn to f7 (e6·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to h8 (h6·2)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to f6 (b2·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: knight to c1 (d3·3)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: queen to g8 (h7·7)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: knight to b5 (d4·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (e5)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 2: queen to b8 (b5)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: rook to h7Shuffle Rating 1477Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: king to e3 (d3)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: king to g3 (f2·5)Shuffle Rating 1110Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: king to g2 (f2·3)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 475 →