Chess Puzzle #EXvYE — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights c4/d5; pawns a6/b5/c5/d6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd2 — knight c4→d2, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5 — queen b3→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Nxf3+ (knight d2→f3, captures knight, gives check).
3. Best move: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qe7 (queen d8→e7).
4. Best move: Qxa8 — queen d5→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1bkr/6pp/p2pP3/1ppn4/2n5/1QP2N2/PP1N1PPP/R1B2RK1 b - - 2 13

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