Open in the app

Winning blow: rook to a8 (a1·9)

c9-09506
Puzzle rating: 1200Theme: Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

Solve in the app

The tactical motive

Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.

White to move — find the best continuation

Solution & explanation

Main line

25. Rxa8+ Kb7 26. Ra7+ Kc6 27. dxc4 exf4 28. gxf4

Why it works

  • Great move! rook to a8 keeps the pressure (+2.7).
  • Well found: rook to a7 (+3.0).
  • Strong! pawn to c4 is the sharp choice (+3.6).
  • Best move. pawn to f4 is exactly what the engine plays (+3.7).
  • You win a piece — the rook.
  • If instead Kb7, then Ra7+ and you win the rook.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #870.

Explore position #870

Similar puzzles

Free, no ads · Android 8.0+ · coming soon to Google Play

Embed

Copy this code to embed the board on your site: