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Day 946: Setup fork

Lesson of the day

A setup fork is a double attack that exists only because of the unusual starting squares — in classical chess these targets never stand side by side. Look for pairs of undefended pieces on your opponent's back rank and for squares from which a knight or pawn hits both at once. Such forks usually appear within the first moves, before the pieces disperse. In every new position, note right away which starting pieces are defended by no one.

Warm-up

1. Chess960 tactic on h7 (h4)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Chess960 tactic on b8 (a8)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Chess960 tactic on f8 (f1)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Chess960 tactic on d7 (f5)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Chess960 tactic on c8 (c7)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Chess960 tactic on f5 (d6)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Chess960 tactic on g7 (g4)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d6 (a3)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Chess960 tactic on b8 (b5)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (e5·27)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Chess960 tactic on f5Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Chess960 tactic on e6 (e3)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Chess960 tactic on d6 (g3)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Chess960 tactic on f8Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Chess960 tactic on c7 (c6)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Chess960 tactic on c5 (d4·2)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Chess960 tactic on b7 (a8)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Chess960 tactic on c5 (b6)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: rook to b7 (a7·2)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Chess960 tactic on c4 (b3·2)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Chess960 tactic on f6 (d7)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Chess960 tactic on f6 (e4)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Mate in 3: queen to b2 (b6)Shuffle Rating 2126Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
24. Mate in 2: rook to d6 (h6)Shuffle Rating 2129Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Mate in 3: queen to f8 (h8·3)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Pin: rook to h5Shuffle Rating 2144Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Mate in 3: rook to e8 (e1·17)Shuffle Rating 2260Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Pin: bishop to g5Shuffle Rating 2306Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f6 (f5·2)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Mate in 3: deflection on f6Shuffle Rating 2074Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 947 →