Loading page content…
USA National MasterAsk a question
Privacy choices
Optional analytics and campaign measurement help us understand which pages are useful. They stay off until you allow them. You can change your choice at any time.
Read the privacy and storage detailsUSA National MasterAsk a question
Calculation challenge · Deflection and mating lines
A short chess exercise to explore at your own pace. Try your move, ask for a hint, then read why the idea works.
Deflection and mating lines
White to move. Find a forcing queen move, then finish with the rook after Black’s reply.
Select a piece, then its destination. You can drag, or use the arrow keys and Enter. Black’s reply is supplied in exercises with more than one move.
Qb8+ · Nxb8 · Rd8#
Calculate the opponent’s legal replies, then verify the final position. A sacrifice is a line to prove, not a gesture.
The immediate rook route up the d-file is blocked by the black knight on d7. Qb8+ forces that knight to capture on b8. The queen gives check along the eighth rank, and Black has no other legal response in this position. A queen sacrifice only makes sense after you have checked the entire continuation.
After ...Nxb8, the d-file is clear. Rd8# reaches the eighth rank, where the rook checks the king on e8. White’s bishop on g5 controls d8, preventing the king from taking the checking rook. The remaining black pieces and pawns leave the king without a safe escape or a blocking move.
Solve this slowly without moving first: name the check, picture the knight’s reply, then inspect the final position. Look for the bishop’s contribution as well as the rook’s. An attacking idea often depends on a quiet piece controlling one vital square. If that bishop were missing, the final capture possibilities would need to be evaluated again.
Take it into your next game: Calculate the opponent’s legal replies, then verify the final position. A sacrifice is a line to prove, not a gesture.
Published · By Signa Chess Academy
Explore calculation and planning