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Day 506: 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: knight to b6 (a4·3)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (h1·28)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (d4·57)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: knight to b7 (d6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to d4 (e3·7)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: knight to c3 (e2)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to e4 (f4)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d4 (f6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d5 (e6)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h8 (h1·7)Shuffle Rating 1060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c4 (e3·9)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b6 (a4·5)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (e4·3)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a3 (a4)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e6 (f5)Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: rook to c5 (c3·3)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c4 (d3·2)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d7 (d1·7)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (b4·4)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: queen to e8 (e7·3)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to e6 (d5·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f1Shuffle Rating 1250Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to d6 (e6·3)Shuffle Rating 1264Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (g2·4)Shuffle Rating 1290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f6 (d4·7)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: knight to f1 (g3·4)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (f4·5)Shuffle Rating 1390Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g6 (f5)Shuffle Rating 1560Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (g6·2)Shuffle Rating 1220Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: bishop to b6 (g1·5)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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