Open in the app

Day 927: 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: rook to g8 (g1·18)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Winning blow: rook to b7 (b8·6)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to c5 (e3·7)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Winning blow: queen to b7 (a8·8)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Winning blow: queen to e7 (h7·3)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Winning blow: bishop to h4 (g3·4)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Winning blow: rook to g5 (g1·2)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Winning blow: knight to e5 (f7·7)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Winning blow: queen to c2 (f5·2)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Winning blow: rook to g3 (e3·5)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: queen to e8 (e3)Shuffle Rating 2065Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Fork: knight to e2 (f4·6)Shuffle Rating 2066Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
13. Mate in 3: rook to g2 (g7)Shuffle Rating 2069Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
14. Fork: queen to e4 (c6)Shuffle Rating 2080Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
15. Fork: queen to c2 (c1)Shuffle Rating 2080Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
16. Winning blow: bishop to g5 (e7)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to e7 (e3·2)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: rook to a7 (a2·4)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: bishop to a4 (c2·7)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: queen to d7 (f5·6)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Winning blow: bishop to d5 (c6)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: queen to a6 (e2·7)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Winning blow: rook to d6 (d1·26)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: queen to e8 (h5·8)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to c3 (e1·5)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Chess960 tactic on f5 (h5)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: rook to d4 (d1·5)Shuffle Rating 2210Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Winning blow: rook to c5 (c1·18)Shuffle Rating 2290Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Winning blow: knight to e3 (c4·3)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: bishop to h8 (f6·2)Shuffle Rating 1870Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 928 →