Chess Puzzle #4U3ZV — Beginner, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks c1/f1; bishops d2/e2; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d7; rooks a8/h8; bishops f5/f8; knight g6; pawns a7/c6/d5/e6/f6/g5/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxb5 — bishop e2→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxb5 (queen d7→b5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxb5+ — queen a4→b5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/p2q4/2p1ppn1/1N1p1bpp/Q2P4/4P3/PP1BBPPP/2R2RK1 b kq - 5 15

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