Chess Puzzle #0S4tH — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/e2; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops d2/h5; knights a5/e4; pawns a7/c7/d5/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c6 — pawn c7→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd2 — knight f3→d2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop h5→e2, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxe2 — queen a6→e2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/p1p3pp/Q7/n2pPp1b/3Pn3/5N1P/PP1bBPP1/R1B2RK1 b - - 2 15

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.