Chess Puzzle #96vEO — Advanced, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d4; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b4/c8; knights b8/c3; pawns a7/b7/c7/d7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5+ — knight c3→d5, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c3 — pawn c2→c3. Opponent replies Bxc3+ (bishop b4→c3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, opening, short. The key move is c3.

Position data

FEN: rnbqk2r/pppp1ppp/8/4P3/1b1Q4/2n2N2/PPP2PPP/R1B1KB1R b KQkq - 1 6

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