Chess Puzzle #45JUv — Beginner, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d5; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; knights b5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knight g8; pawns a6/b7/c5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen d8→d5, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc7+ — knight b5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
3. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c7→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, opening, short. The key move is Nc7+.

Position data

FEN: r1bqkbnr/1p3ppp/p7/1NpQP3/8/5N2/PPP1PPPP/R3KB1R b KQkq - 0 8

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