Chess Puzzle #IDxQC — Expert, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c4/e3; knights e4/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b4; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d7/e5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc3 — knight e4→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen b4→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxe5 (knight f3→e5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nxe5 — knight c6→e5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, opening, short. The key move Qxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1kb1r/pppp2p1/2n4p/4p3/1qB1N3/4BN2/PPP2PPP/R2QK2R w KQkq - 1 10

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