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Day 851: 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. Mate in 2: bishop to g6 (c2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Mate in 3: knight to g5 (f3)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Mate in 3: queen to a7 (f2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Mate in 2: queen to a6 (d3·2)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to a8 (a1·10)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Mate in 3: rook to d8 (g8)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Mate in 2: knight to b6 (a4·4)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e6 (g4·6)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Mate in 2: queen to e3 (g1)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Mate in 3: queen to a4 (h4)Shuffle Rating 1630Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Mate in 3: fork on g3Shuffle Rating 1816Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Mate in 3: queen to g6 (g1)Shuffle Rating 1760Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: pawn to d8 (d7·2)Shuffle Rating 1760Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Mate in 3: queen to a8 (g2·2)Shuffle Rating 1760Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to b8 (b3·5)Shuffle Rating 1760Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: queen to d6 (e5·5)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Winning blow: rook to f4 (c4·2)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: knight to d8 (e6·7)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to b7 (d5·3)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to g6 (h6·5)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: queen to f8 (f4)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to e7 (e5·5)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: knight to f6 (e4·29)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to a4 (b4·3)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Winning blow: rook to c6 (d6·3)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 3: double attack on f1Shuffle Rating 1969Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: knight to f5 (e3·25)Shuffle Rating 1980Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Discovered attack: bishop to c6 (e4)Shuffle Rating 2115Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Mate in 3: bishop to b6 (a7)Shuffle Rating 1980Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: queen to b7 (a7·8)Shuffle Rating 1930Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 852 →