Open in the app

Day 97: 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 (f3·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
2. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b3Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
3. Winning blow: bishop to b4Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
4. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to e2Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
5. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (d5·18)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
6. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to g1 (f3)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
7. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f7 (d5·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
8. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f4 (c1·4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
9. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g4 (h3·11)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
10. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d4 (b3·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Core set

11. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5·7)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
12. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e6 (d4·8)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
13. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d7 (c5·8)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
14. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f6 (g4·2)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
15. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c7 (d5·12)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
16. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to e6 (f5·13)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
17. Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to c7 (e5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
18. Winning blow: pawn to d5 (c4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
19. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to a3 (b2·6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
20. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·60)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
21. Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c1Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
22. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d5 (c4·61)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
23. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to d4 (a1·2)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
24. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to d6 (c5·18)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
25. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g8 (h7·5)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Challenge

26. Winning blow: pawn to h5 (g4)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
27. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to g5 (d2·3)Shuffle Rating 920Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
28. Win the hanging knight on e5Shuffle Rating 1033Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Review

29. Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b5 (a4)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation
30. Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to f3 (e2·6)Shuffle Rating 780Analysis
White to move — find the best continuation

Day complete — every puzzle solved. See you tomorrow!

Day 98 →