Chess Puzzle #69xTt — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f4; knights c3/e5; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b7/f8; knights b8/e4; pawns a7/b6/c7/d7/e6/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh5+ — queen d1→h5, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: Nxg6 — knight e5→g6, captures pawn. Opponent replies hxg6 (pawn h7→g6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen h5→g6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, opening. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn1qkb1r/pbpp2pp/1p2p3/4Np2/3PnB2/P1N1P3/1PP2PPP/R2QKB1R b KQkq - 2 7

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