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Attack on the uncastled king: knight to d6 (e4·5)

sf-u-0018
Puzzle rating: 780Theme: Uncastled king: the enemy king is stuck in the centre — punish it before it castles.
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
White to move — find the best continuation

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The tactical motive

Uncastled king: the enemy king is stuck in the centre — punish it before it castles.

White to move — find the best continuation

Solution & explanation

Main line

17. Nxd6 Bxd6 18. c5 Bxc5 19. Qxe5

Why it works

  • Great move! knight to d6 keeps the pressure (+6.2).
  • pawn to c5 develops smoothly.
  • Precise: queen to e5 is the top choice (+6.1).
  • You win a piece — the queen.
  • If instead Bxd6, then c5 and you win the queen.

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