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Winning blow: queen to a8 (a7·7)

c9-25391
Puzzle rating: 1200Theme: Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

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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. Qxa8+ Kc7 24. Qa7+ Kc8 25. Rd7 Rxc3+ 26. Bxc3

Why it works

  • Great move! queen to a8 keeps the pressure (#5).
  • Well found: queen to a7 (#4).
  • A natural move: rook to d7.
  • Best move. bishop to c3 is exactly what the engine plays (#2).
  • You win a piece — the rook.
  • If instead Kc7, then Qa7+ and you win the bishop.

About this position

These pieces come from starting position #163.

Explore position #163

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