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Day 948: 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. Chess960 tactic on d5 (d4)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Chess960 tactic on d6 (f5·2)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Chess960 tactic on d4Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Chess960 tactic on g4 (g2)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Chess960 tactic on b3Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Chess960 tactic on g6 (g3)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Chess960 tactic on d5 (g2)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to h7 (g6·4)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Chess960 tactic on h7 (h5)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Chess960 tactic on d3 (f1)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Fork: knight to c6 (e5·4)Shuffle Rating 2148Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Winning blow: knight to a7 (b5·5)Shuffle Rating 2150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Winning blow: bishop to b5 (e2·2)Shuffle Rating 2150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Winning blow: knight to h7 (f6·2)Shuffle Rating 2150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Pin: queen to d7Shuffle Rating 2150Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Chess960 tactic on e5 (a1)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Chess960 tactic on c5 (e3)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: king to h3 (g2·7)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Winning blow: queen to h6 (f6·3)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Winning blow: king to g2 (f1·20)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Chess960 tactic on e3 (f4)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Winning blow: king to c1 (b1·27)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Chess960 tactic on d7 (d1)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Winning blow: king to g1 (h2·6)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: rook to f8 (f7·3)Shuffle Rating 2120Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Mate in 3: rook to d1 (e1·5)Shuffle Rating 2170Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Fork: queen to c5 (b4)Shuffle Rating 2264Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation
28. Deflection: rook to c1 (c7)Shuffle Rating 2297Analysis
Black to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Rescue the pawn to h3Shuffle Rating 2076Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Winning blow: king to e1 (d2·5)Shuffle Rating 2060Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 949 →