Chess Puzzle #4cand — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops d2/f1; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen a5; rooks a8/h8; bishops e4/f8; knight b4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc2+ — knight b4→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2 — queen d1→c2, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxc2 (bishop e4→c2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxa5 — bishop d2→a5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, opening, short. The key move Qxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/ppp1pppp/8/q7/1n2b3/P4N1P/1PPB1PP1/R2QKB1R b KQkq - 0 10

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