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

Position

White: king e1; queen d2; rooks c1/h1; bishops e2/e3; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops d6/f5; knights b4/e7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc2+ — knight b4→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxc2 (bishop f5→c2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen d2→c2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/pp2nppp/2pb4/3p1b2/1n1P4/2N1BN1P/PPPQBPP1/2R1K2R b Kkq - 2 10

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