Chess960 tactic on a8 (a1)
c9-12554naming tag (square·N)Shuffle Rating 2120Theme: 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
39. Ra8+ Qf8 40. Rxf8+ Kxf8 41. Qxh7 Ke8 42. Qe7#
Why it works
- Best move. rook to a8 is exactly what the engine plays (#3).
- Spot on — rook to f8 (#2).
- Precise: queen to h7 is the top choice (#1).
- Best move. queen to e7 is exactly what the engine plays (#).
- The line ends in a forced mate in 4.
- If instead Qf8, then Rxf8+ and you win the queen.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #664.
SP-664 · ThroneGuard — A centre-file king with no knight on the edge; a position and its mirror twin always share this family.
Explore position #664Similar puzzles
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