Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a5 (b3·7)
c9-04644naming tag (square·N)Shuffle Rating 780Theme: Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.
White to move — find the best continuation
The tactical motive
Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.
White to move — find the best continuation
Solution & explanation
Main line
9. Nxa5 O-O-O 10. Bd2 e5 11. Nxd5
Why it works
- Great move! knight to a5 keeps the pressure (+3.4).
- bishop to d2 develops smoothly.
- Precise: knight to d5 is the top choice (+3.3).
- You win a piece — the knight.
- If instead O-O-O, then exd5 and you win the knight.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #458.
SP-458 · ThroneGuard — The king starts in the middle of the back rank, on d or e, and neither knight begins in a corner.
Explore position #458Similar puzzles
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