Chess Puzzle #50heL — Beginner, White to move, opening

Rating 1195 · Beginner · advantage, capturing the defender, discovered attack, opening, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops b2/g2; knights d2/d4; pawns a2/b3/c2/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/d6; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Be5 — bishop d6→e5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Nxc6 — knight d4→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures knight).
  3. Best move: Bxe5 — bishop b2→e5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, discovered attack, opening, short. The key move Nxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/pp3ppp/2nb1n2/3p4/3Np3/1P2P1P1/PBPN1PBP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 1 12

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