lichess.org
Donate

Question about puzzle 17406

I solved the first portion relatively quickly which lead to Whites forced Qxd8, however why is Black then doing Kxd8 then better than Qxd8. The attack that black can make is lost after Nh3 regardless and you lose the ability to castle.
My guess would be that Qxd8 allows Ne2 next, guarding the central d4 square.

On the other hand, taking with the king forces black to lose a tempo to put his knight on h3, which is a really bad square for the knight and allows your queen to stay in the center, preventing Be3 (if c3 then Qd3)

Losing the ability to castle is well worth it.
Also, being able to move the pawn to e3 will not make black a happy camper.
I didn't look at the engine, but I'd play Kxd8 because the queen is placed marvellously on the central square, it threatens many deadly checks, while white king will not be uncomfortable without castling as there's no opponent's queen ;) Even if there are some dangerous checks, the king can always easily hide on c7.
I didn't look at the engine, but I'd play Kxd8 because the queen is placed marvellously on the central square, it threatens many deadly checks, while white king will not be uncomfortable without castling as there's no opponent's queen ;) Even if there are some dangerous checks, the king can always easily hide on c7.

This topic has been archived and can no longer be replied to.