Chess Puzzle #1EaJd — Beginner, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops f8/h5; knight c4; pawns a7/c6/d5/e7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf6 — pawn e7→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen a4→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen d8→d7).
3. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen c6→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, opening, short. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qkb1r/p3pppp/2p2B2/3p3b/Q1nP4/2N5/PP2PPPP/R3KB1R b KQkq - 0 10

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