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Castling-960 to the rescue on a1 (d1·17)

c9-21457
Puzzle rating: 1760Theme: Castling 960: the strongest move is to castle — drag the king onto its rook.
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

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The tactical motive

Castling 960: the strongest move is to castle — drag the king onto its rook.

White to move — find the best continuation

Solution & explanation

Main line

15. O-O-O Qb7 16. Qxb7+ Kxb7 17. Bxa6+ Nxa6 18. Rxd8

Why it works

  • Great move! king to c1 keeps the pressure (+5.1).
  • Well found: queen to b7 (+4.9).
  • Strong! bishop to a6 is the sharp choice (+5.1).
  • Great move! rook to d8 keeps the pressure (+5.1).
  • You win a piece — the queen.
  • If instead Qb7, then Qxb7+ and you win the queen.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #458.

Explore position #458

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