Winning blow: queen to a8 (a7·9)
c9-13627naming tag (square·N)Shuffle Rating 1280Theme: Chess960 twist: use the unusual starting setup of the pieces.
TypeWinning blow
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. Qa8+ Kc7 24. Rd1 Qd5 25. Rxd5
Why it works
- Best move. queen to a8 is exactly what the engine plays (#8).
- rook to d1 develops smoothly.
- Precise: rook to d5 is the top choice (#6).
- You win a piece — the queen.
- If instead Kb6, then Bd8+ and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #77.
SP-77 · ThroneScout — King in the middle of the rank, with a knight already committed to the corner.
Explore position #77Similar puzzles
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