Fearsome Fork: Practice Problems

Happy Holidays!  Today we need to get back to basics.  "Practice makes perfect," I'm sure you've heard.  Try these Fork Puzzles by Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl).  Remember, a fork is when one piece attacks two.  It's a great tactic because they won't be able to save both pieces in one move!  You might notice a pattern before you're through. 

Your goal is both speed and accuracy.  If you "solve" it quickly but it's wrong, then you made the wrong choice.  Take enough time to solve it and get the right answer.  In tournaments there are no take-backs!

White to move in all puzzles.
1.  Forks can happen at any time during your game.  Here is one in the opening.

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Don't forget every piece can move backwards except the pawn. If the queen captures back, we have a nasty discovery!  Do you see how your queen/bishop/black queen are lined up on the d file?  Where could that bishop go.....?

 

Uh-oh!  When three pieces are lined up, look for tricks!

                    

 

 

3.  I've seen this one happen a lot!

 

 

 

 

4.  There are two solutions here.  Click on the move list to see both.

 

 

 

5.  There are two solutions here.  Click on the move list to see both.

 

 

6.  Where would you place a knight so that he would attack 4 pawns?

 

 

Answer:  e8!!

 

What pattern did you notice?  Knights are special because they can attack in 8 different directions, and of course, they can jump!  Stay tuned for more puzzles next week!