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Day 88: 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 g4 (h3·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: pawn to g6Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to c3 (b3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: pawn to c5 (d4·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b5 (c3·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f5 (e4·26)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·43)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a8 (b7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: queen to g5Shuffle Rating 919Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: knight to f5 (e3)Shuffle Rating 919Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Fork: knight to f7Shuffle Rating 919Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (f5·10)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (e3·3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·49)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e8 (c7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to b4 (a3·6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g6 (f5·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e4 (g3·7)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b6 (c5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (e4·44)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b8 (a7·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·50)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g2 (g1·3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: queen to a3Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Winning blow: knight to c6 (d8)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: bishop to b2 (a1)Shuffle Rating 970Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: queen to f6 (c3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Fork: pawn to f5Shuffle Rating 918Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

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