Open in the app

Day 66: 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: pawn to h3 (g2·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to d7Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g7 (a1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h5 (g3·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to c3 (c1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: queen to f3 (d1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h6Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: pawn to c6Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to b6 (d4·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: rook to d1Shuffle Rating 890Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 2: queen to d1 (g4·3)Shuffle Rating 892Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to f6 (d5·2)Shuffle Rating 893Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: rook to g7Shuffle Rating 893Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to e7 (f5·4)Shuffle Rating 897Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: knight to f2Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e5 (f3·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (c5·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c5 (b4·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to c6 (b5·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·9)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e4 (d3·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b4 (e1)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e5 (f4·20)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: king to f3 (e2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: pin on c3Shuffle Rating 887Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
28. Mate in 1: rook to h7 (b7)Shuffle Rating 1018Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: pawn to f5 (e4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Mate in 1: rook to f1 (d1)Shuffle Rating 887Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 67 →