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Knights need forking squares!
Compiled by notyetagm
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Knight fork combinations

From my comments on Anand vs Morozevich, 2007

The <KNIGHT FORK> Anand visualized that would have been played out OTB.

Position after 56 ♖c5-e5!! ♕e4x♖e5 <deflection from g4, decoy to e5> 57 ♘e3-g4+


click for larger view

And here is the alternate <KNIGHT FORK> variation that World Champion Anand visualized but did not get a chance to play.

(VAR) Position after 56 ... ♔h6-g6 57 ♘e3-d5 ♕h1-h8 58 ♖c5-c8! ♕h8x♖c8 59 ♘d5-e7+


click for larger view

These incredible <KNIGHT FORK> variations, calculated by Anand with the World Championshup at stake(!), teach you almost everything you need to know about the <KNIGHT FORK> tactic.

21 ... Qxh3+! White king cannot defend forking f2 and target h3
Larsen vs R Hernandez Onna, 1989 
(D30) Queen's Gambit Declined, 21 moves, 0-1

19 ... Rh1+! 20 Kxh1 Nxf2+ and 21 ... NxQ, the Rh8+/Nf7+ trick
K Cottrell vs Lenderman, 2006 
(D12) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, 32 moves, 0-1

Black d7-knight defending the f6-forking square? Bad.
Ivanchuk vs F Vallejo Pons, 2002 
(B42) Sicilian, Kan, 23 moves, 1-0

10 - Qxb2! White d2-queen cannot defend forking d3 + target b2
Toldsepp vs Keres, 1934 
(A52) Budapest Gambit, 10 moves, 0-1

Black d3-knight has f4-forking square, a deflection frees it
C Dunworth vs D Gormally, 2001 
(A45) Queen's Pawn Game, 19 moves, 0-1

36 Bxf5! Black d7-queen cannot defend forking e7 and target f5
Kasparov vs A Horiguti, 2004 
(A48) King's Indian, 37 moves, 1-0

50 QxBh5! Black f5-queen cannot defend f6-forking, h5-target
Movsesian vs Z Gyimesi, 2001 
(A06) Reti Opening, 53 moves, 1-0

35 ... Bd4! White d2-rook cannot defend e2-forking, d4-target
Huebner vs Kasparov, 1986 
(D90) Grunfeld, 38 moves, 0-1

30 Qc6! Black c7-queen cannot defend e7-forking, c6-target sqrs
Capablanca vs F Duz-Khotimirsky, 1913 
(C84) Ruy Lopez, Closed, 47 moves, 1-0

26 Qxb4+! Black b6-queen cannot defend both b4-target, c6-base
Kramnik vs Kasparov, 2001 
(D44) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 36 moves, 1-0

White d5-knight has tactical f6-base, h7-target, 58 Qxf6+!!
Polgar vs Anand, 1998 
(B90) Sicilian, Najdorf, 56 moves, 1-0

White f6-knight has h7-tactical base, attacks Black g5-queen
Aronian vs S Beshukov, 2000 
(B30) Sicilian, 27 moves, 1-0

28 Ng3-f5+ forks Black e7-king and undefended Black d4-rook
Kasparov vs Kramnik, 2001 
(C67) Ruy Lopez, 46 moves, 1/2-1/2

46 Rxf7! White c4-knight has d6-tactical base, f7-target
Gelfand vs Lautier, 1997
(D00) Queen's Pawn Game, 46 moves, 1-0

44 ... Rb1xb3! White d3-rook defends d4-tactical base
Lasker vs Capablanca, 1921  
(D61) Queen's Gambit Declined, Orthodox, Rubinstein Attack, 68 moves, 0-1

White g5-knight lusts after the royal forking square on f7
Shirov vs O Renet, 1991 
(E25) Nimzo-Indian, Samisch, 28 moves, 1-0

20 ... Be7-g5! Black f4-knight has h3-tactical base, g5-target
E Paoli vs Andersson, 1973 
(B49) Sicilian, Taimanov Variation, 40 moves, 0-1

55 Rc5-e5!! defended by White e3-knight's g4-forking square
Anand vs Morozevich, 2007 
(B90) Sicilian, Najdorf, 56 moves, 1-0

83 ... Qh3-h8+!! White e5-queen makes f7-square a tactical base
Kotronias vs M Hebden, 2007 
(C99) Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin, 12...cd, 86 moves, 1-0

25 Qh5xh7+! deflects defender of White f6-knight e8-forking sq
Kostic vs H Wolf, 1922 
(D44) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 80 moves, 1-0

53 Kg4?? e3 becomes forking square for c4-knight, 53 - Rd5-d1!
Avrukh vs Kamsky, 2007 
(A64) Benoni, Fianchetto, 11...Re8, 53 moves, 0-1

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