Open in the app

Winning blow: rook to d7 (c7·7)

c9-11648
Puzzle rating: 1430Theme: 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

21. Rxd7+ Kf8 22. Ne5 Nxd7 23. Nxd7+ Ke8 24. Nxb8

Why it works

  • Brilliant! The rook on d7 is a sacrifice that works — you are winning (+3.2).
  • knight to e5 develops smoothly.
  • Strong! knight to d7 is the sharp choice (+3.9).
  • Best move. knight to b8 is exactly what the engine plays (+4.2).
  • You win a piece — the rook.
  • If instead Kf8, then Ne5 and you stay on top.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #529.

Explore position #529

Similar puzzles

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

Embed

Copy this code to embed the board on your site: