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Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a6 (c4·2)

sf-u-0220
Puzzle rating: 1950Theme: 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

16. Qa6 Qc8 17. Bxc8 f4 18. Qb7#

Why it works

  • Great move! queen to a6 keeps the pressure (#2).
  • Well found: bishop to c8 (#1).
  • Precise: queen to b7 is the top choice (#).
  • The line ends in a forced mate in 3.
  • If instead Qc8, then Bxc8 and you win the queen.

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