Chess Puzzle #21NS9 — Beginner, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f4; knights d2/d5; pawns a5/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops a6/b4; knight f6; pawns a7/c4/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd5 — pawn c6→d5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen d1→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Nd7 (knight f6→d7).
3. Best move: Qxb4 — queen a4→b4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, opening, short. The key move is Qa4+.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/p4ppp/b1p1pn2/P2N4/1bpP1B2/4P3/1P1N1PPP/R2QKB1R b KQkq - 0 14

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