Chess Puzzle #52z7i — Intermediate, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops b5/c1; knights d4/d5; pawns a3/b2/c2/d2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops d6/d7; knights c6/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd7+ — bishop b5→d7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen d8→d7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: exd4 — pawn e3→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, opening, short. The key move Bxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qk1nr/pppb1ppp/2nb4/1B1N4/3Np3/P3P3/1PPP1PPP/R1BQK2R b KQkq - 0 7

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.