Chess Puzzle #2QOj5 — Beginner, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops e5/f1; knights c3/g1; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/d6; knights d5/f6; pawns a7/b7/c5/d7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd6 — bishop e5→d6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen a5→c3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, opening, short. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/pp1p1ppp/3b1n2/q1pnB3/8/2N1P3/PP3PPP/R2QKBNR w KQkq - 0 10

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