Open in the app

Winning blow: queen to a8 (a7·9)

c9-13627
Puzzle rating: 1280Theme: 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

23. Qa8+ Kc7 24. Rd1 Qd5 25. Rxd5

Why it works

  • Best move. queen to a8 is exactly what the engine plays (#8).
  • rook to d1 develops smoothly.
  • Precise: rook to d5 is the top choice (#6).
  • You win a piece — the queen.
  • If instead Kb6, then Bd8+ and you stay on top.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #77.

Explore position #77

Similar puzzles

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

Embed

Copy this code to embed the board on your site: