Chess Puzzle #2wWQ0 — Beginner, White to move, opening

Rating 1016 · Beginner · crushing, fork, opening, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops e2/f4; knights b5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d7; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc7+ — knight b5→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d7→c7, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bxc7 — bishop f4→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1b1kb1r/pppq1ppp/2n1pn2/1N6/3P1B2/5N2/PPP1BPPP/R2Q1RK1 b kq - 3 9

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.