Attack on the uncastled king: queen to b5 (b3)
sf-u-0210Puzzle rating: 780Theme: Uncastled king: the enemy king is stuck in the centre — punish it before it castles.
White to move — find the best continuation
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
18. Qxb5 O-O-O 19. d6 N7c6 20. Qa4
Why it works
- Great move! queen to b5 keeps the pressure (+6.7).
- pawn to d6 develops smoothly.
- Precise: queen to a4 is the top choice (+6.5).
- You win a piece — the queen.
- If instead Nc8, then Rxe5 and you win the queen.
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