Chess Puzzle #1PtA2 — Beginner, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen b7; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f1; knights b5/f3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops d7/f8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/c4/c7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxc7+ — knight b5→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d8→c7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc7 — queen b7→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, opening, short. The key move Nxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qkb1r/pQpbpppp/2n2n2/1N6/2pP4/5N2/PP2PPPP/R1B1KB1R b KQkq - 2 7

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