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Attack on the uncastled king: queen to a2 (b3)

sf-u-0264
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. Qxa2 Nc4 18. Ne3 Nxe3 19. fxe3

Why it works

  • Great move! queen to a2 keeps the pressure (+7.3).
  • knight to e3 develops smoothly.
  • Strong! pawn to e3 is the sharp choice (+7.8).
  • You win a piece — the queen.
  • If instead Ra8, then Qb1 and you win the queen.

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