Chess960 puzzles: First-rank tactic
Pieces still on their starting rank become targets of a first-rank strike.
The first-rank tactic: enemy pieces that never left their starting rank become targets themselves. Standing shoulder to shoulder, they block each other and are often defended by nobody. Look for a strike along the first or eighth rank — a rook or queen that breaks through harvests the undeveloped pieces. The mistake is treating the back rank as a safe "rear area": in Chess960 it can be the most vulnerable place on the board.
132 puzzles
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c8 (d6)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f8
Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to d8 (b6·2)
Winning blow: bishop to h8
Winning blow: knight to a8 (c7)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to f8 (g6)
Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to e8 (c6)
Attack on the uncastled king: rook to h8 (h7)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e8 (d6)
Winning blow: knight to c8 (e7)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e8 (g7)
Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to f8 (g7)
Winning blow: rook to f8
Winning blow: knight to a8 (c7·2)
Winning blow: knight to d8 (b7)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to e8 (d6·4)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to a8 (b6)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to c8 (b6·2)
Attack on the uncastled king: knight to b8
Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to h5 (f3·4)
Winning blow: king to f2 (e1·2)
Winning blow: knight to g8 (e7·2)
Attack on the uncastled king: bishop to g6 (e4·3)
Attack on the uncastled king: pawn to g5 (f4·35)