Winning blow: rook to b7 (b1·16)
c9-12225naming tag (square·N)Shuffle Rating 2380Theme: 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
23. Rb7+ Kd8 24. Qd6+ Kc8 25. Rb8#
Why it works
- Best move. rook to b7 is exactly what the engine plays (#2).
- Spot on — queen to d6 (#1).
- Precise: rook to b8 is the top choice (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
- If instead Kd8, then Qd6+ and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #771.
SP-771 · ThroneGuard — Both knights start on inner files (b–g) while the king sits centrally on d or e — one of 204 positions filed here.
Explore position #771Similar puzzles
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