Winning blow: queen to a8 (a5·8)
c9-14641naming tag (square·N)Shuffle Rating 1870Theme: 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
29. Qa8+ Bc8 30. Re8+ Kxe8 31. Qxc8+
Why it works
- Great move! queen to a8 keeps the pressure (+7.5).
- Well found: rook to e8 (+7.6).
- Strong! queen to c8 is the sharp choice (+7.7).
- You win decisive material (+7.7).
- If instead Bc8, then Re8+ and you stay on top.
About this position
These pieces come from starting position #471.
SP-471 · 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 #471Similar puzzles
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