Open in the app

Winning blow: queen to a7 (a3·2)

c9-25325
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

23. Qa7+ Rc7 24. Qb8 Qxa8 25. Qxa8 Nf6 26. Qxh8

Why it works

  • Great move! queen to a7 keeps the pressure (+4.7).
  • Well found: queen to b8 (+4.9).
  • Strong! queen to a8 is the sharp choice (+4.8).
  • Best move. queen to h8 is exactly what the engine plays (+4.3).
  • You win a piece — the queen.
  • If instead Rc7, then Qb8 and you stay on top.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #696.

Explore position #696

Similar puzzles

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

Embed

Copy this code to embed the board on your site: