Chess Puzzle #724N6 — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/g5; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b2/c4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b4/c8; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight e2→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen d8→d4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qa4+ — queen c2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Bd7 (bishop c8→d7).
4. Best move: Qxb4 — queen a4→b4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, opening. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bqk2r/ppp2ppp/2n1pn2/6B1/1bPPp3/2N5/PPQ1NPPP/R3KB1R b KQkq - 7 7

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