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Day 600: 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: knight to b6 (c4·8)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: bishop to c3 (d2·2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d3 (d2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: king to e2 (f2)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g2 (e3·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: rook to c2 (c1·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (e5·17)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c2 (e1·6)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to h8 (h7·8)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: knight to b7 (c5·4)Shuffle Rating 1200Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: rook to e1 (e8)Shuffle Rating 1367Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: queen to d4 (d6·2)Shuffle Rating 1365Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to h7Shuffle Rating 1364Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 2: queen to h3 (e3)Shuffle Rating 1362Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to e2 (d4·6)Shuffle Rating 1379Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Skewer: pawn to g4Shuffle Rating 1451Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
17. Mate in 2: queen to g7 (b2·4)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Mate in 2: rook to a3Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (g7·6)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 2: rook to b7 (b1·2)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: rook to b7 (c7·2)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f6 (e6)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 2: queen to b7 (a7)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c8 (b7·7)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e7 (c7)Shuffle Rating 1450Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Deflection: pawn to g7Shuffle Rating 1589Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: queen to c8 (c3)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 3: rook to c1 (a1·3)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 2: queen to c6 (c2·3)Shuffle Rating 1440Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Mate in 2: rook to h8 (h7·4)Shuffle Rating 1320Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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