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Day 7: 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: knight to e6 (c5)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 1: queen to g2 (g6·2)Shuffle Rating 622Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 2: rook to b8 (b6)Shuffle Rating 656Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Fork: knight to d7Shuffle Rating 689Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·3)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (g6)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (a1)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to h7 (g5·7)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 1: queen to e8Shuffle Rating 628Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 2: rook to h8Shuffle Rating 674Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: rook to f4Shuffle Rating 690Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: rook to g3Shuffle Rating 693Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to b3Shuffle Rating 694Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: knight to d4 (c2)Shuffle Rating 695Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: knight to e2 (d4)Shuffle Rating 701Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·4)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to h8 (g7)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e8 (e5)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Mate in 1: knight to c7Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (b7)Shuffle Rating 630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Mate in 2: rook to g8 (g7)Shuffle Rating 680Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b7 (a5·5)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (h7)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (e5·2)Shuffle Rating 620Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Fork: rook to e5Shuffle Rating 719Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 1: double attack on f8Shuffle Rating 730Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Fork: knight to g6Shuffle Rating 881Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Mate in 1: queen to h7 (e4·2)Shuffle Rating 635Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 8 →